FabSwingers.com forum: homework help

By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

For my course i have to write an essay imagining i have had a workmate disclose emotional issues during a coffee break..

i was wondering if fabsters would tell their line manager or equivalent if they were worried about the mental health of a colleague, or if there are other procedures in place. Do you have a workplace health policy for example...

i was also wondering if HR would be the better people to contact...

Any thoughts much appreciated. AS a full time mum its hard to get myself into the mind set, esp as i am out of touch with modern policies and procedures.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

most big organisations have an occupational health department that staff can self reffer or be reffered to if there are any physical / emotional / psychological issues etc. Also many have counselling facilities. Some trade unions also offer support for members for similar issues so there is a lot of support avaialble. Main thing is to offer openminded, non-judgemental support and allow the individula to make the decisions, but have options available i would think? Hope that helps

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i would only tell line manager etc if colleague is happy with you disclosing the info x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In my organisation, if I didn't feel I could deal with it myself I would go to my line manager yes, even if it was off the record.

There is a counselling service offered by my employer which is self referral so I would post them that way also. But it's the kind of thing we're very well set up to deal with in fairness and we have individuals trained to deal with various issues as well.

I'd not go to HR as they're too far removed from the people to deal properly - it's really an adminstrative thing in a place that size.

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

Thank you for your answers, it seems there is a lot of routes in a large organisation, which is exactly what i was wondering...and i hadnt even considered trade unions...

We have been covering the need to be aware of your limitations and when to refer...this will really help.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/d/a/Acas_Health_Work___Wellbeing_(August_2011).pdf

dont know if i'm allowed to post this link or if you already know of it.

but hope this helps you

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By *am sampsonMan
over a year ago

cwmbran

I wouldnt disclose anything to anyone if the unless the colleague was happy for you to do so - I would find out what help was availabe to them and persade them to take up whats on offer also to go and talke to their GP

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

where I work descetion does not exist, if someone heard you fart, they'd report you for air pollution.

They are the biggest bunch of moaning twats I've ever had the displeasure to work with.

Of course there are company rules, we even have a "no bullying" policy, and yet every day we get an email from our boss telling us how shite we are.

I kid you not.

If someone at our branch admitted to having a mental problem, I dread to think how they'd feel after telling someone.

"Bag of shite" comes to mind

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I would, and have, spoken to a line manager because the stress levels have badly affected various colleagues.

Two reasons:

To let the linemanager know that he is not managing properly... Or help him to let his managers know that they are not allowing him to do his job properly... Etc. up the chain.

To help the linemanager help the colleague.

If noone knows then noone can do anything...

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By *ornyHorwichCpl aka HHCCouple
over a year ago

horwich

I think it would depend on the problem and whether they were a friend or just a colleague. We also have an employee helpline.

If they were obviously in distress I would lean more toward speaking to their doctor. I would perhaps suggest speaking to their manager themselves and offer to be there for support if they needed.

I would only suggest HR if they had discussed with their manager and got an adverse reaction.

Scarlett

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

For me, I would alert the person that if they disclosed to me anything that might affect other staff or put people or children at risk that I could be obliged to pass on the information.

Also that I am not qualified as a counsellor to comment or advise and reassure them that the counsellor could help. Hopefully referring them to the appropriate person, if possible.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Due to protection issues, there are certain things which one is obliged to pass on.

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By *am sampsonMan
over a year ago

cwmbran

"I would, and have, spoken to a line manager because the stress levels have badly affected various colleagues.

Two reasons:

To let the linemanager know that he is not managing properly... Or help him to let his managers know that they are not allowing him to do his job properly... Etc. up the chain.

To help the linemanager help the colleague.

If noone knows then noone can do anything..."

Its one thing to tell your boss that there is a lot of stress in the work place but to disclose someones medical condition to another person without their consent is not for you to decide

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I would, and have, spoken to a line manager because the stress levels have badly affected various colleagues.

Two reasons:

To let the linemanager know that he is not managing properly... Or help him to let his managers know that they are not allowing him to do his job properly... Etc. up the chain.

To help the linemanager help the colleague.

If noone knows then noone can do anything...

Its one thing to tell your boss that there is a lot of stress in the work place but to disclose someones medical condition to another person without their consent is not for you to decide"

Unless it constitutes a danger to others.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

" Its one thing to tell your boss that there is a lot of stress in the work place but to disclose someones medical condition to another person without their consent is not for you to decide"

Not being a qualified psychiatrist I am in on position to comment on a colleagues mental condition. I am however capable of observing decline in personality and output, making sure that my colleague knows they have my support and raising office issues with management... Notwithstanding that the issue may not be work related... And I would tell the colleague what I intended to do.

Other people may handle these matters differently...;-)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I would not go to my line manager as the first port of call, and would voice my concern with someone in HR first.

That's what I did in the past.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"...imagining i have had a workmate disclose emotional issues during a coffee break..."

"...tell their line manager... if they were worried about the mental health of a colleague,"

Careful Jem... You have worded a double premis here...

Is your homework on an emotional issue or a mental health issue...?

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

"For me, I would alert the person that if they disclosed to me anything that might affect other staff or put people or children at risk that I could be obliged to pass on the information.

Also that I am not qualified as a counsellor to comment or advise and reassure them that the counsellor could help. Hopefully referring them to the appropriate person, if possible.

Have you done my course?

The tricky bit is if you do not belive anyone else is at risk, where you would be obliged to disclose, but you are concerned for your workmate...for example if their work load is making the problem worse.

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

""...imagining i have had a workmate disclose emotional issues during a coffee break..."

"...tell their line manager... if they were worried about the mental health of a colleague,"

Careful Jem... You have worded a double premis here...

Is your homework on an emotional issue or a mental health issue...?

Both lol its for my counselling level 2 course, the scenario is one where someone "unloads" a lot of stress and upset on you, which may have its roots in a mental health problem or be caused by one specific set of circumstances...you do not know, all you have is their words to go on...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

think it would depend on the problem really...if they were just venting out of frustration (which is common where I work) then I'd just hear them out and maybe check in with them later on. If it was a deeper problem, I'm not sure if I would speak to any of our managers or our HR dept as I wouldn't trust them to do anything about it. I'd be more likely to try to point them in the direction of 'real' help...such as doctors or counsellors depending on the issue, and encourage them to speak to a close friend or family member too. I'd follow it up myself to make sure they had taken positive steps, and offer any support I could...even if that's just listening or running them to an appointment.

That may not be the 'right' thing to do, but I just wouldn't rely on our management/HR for real support at all...and wouldn't want my personal life discussed by them as it would be round the building within the week as discretion seems to be a swear word where I work x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

if you have concern over their emotional state I would advise your workmate you have a duty of care and that you are going to inform his/your line manager! It is not a breach of confidence if it is delt with using the appropriate channels!

Most workplaces(specially in Education) have designated staff to deal with such issues

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You don't say in your scenario whether you're a counsellor, or just a colleague. I would say - if your workmate's emotional problems can affect their job, safety at work or are in any way detrimental to your workplace and other workers, then talk to their line manager. If their problems are purely personal, I would ask them if they wanted my help or just an ear, but take it no further until I've asked them first.

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

"if you have concern over their emotional state I would advise your workmate you have a duty of care and that you are going to inform his/your line manager! It is not a breach of confidence if it is delt with using the appropriate channels!

Most workplaces(specially in Education) have designated staff to deal with such issues"

The duty of care issue is one i was thinking about,and indeed in education and certain other settings you may have a duty to pass on information,if it breaches safeguarding procedures.

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By *emima_puddlefuck OP Couple
over a year ago

hexham

"You don't say in your scenario whether you're a counsellor, or just a colleague. I would say - if your workmate's emotional problems can affect their job, safety at work or are in any way detrimental to your workplace and other workers, then talk to their line manager. If their problems are purely personal, I would ask them if they wanted my help or just an ear, but take it no further until I've asked them first."

Just a colleague, but one of the reasons we are doing it is because there is a certain level of burn out from ppl newly qualified and we have to be aware of having boundaries in place. Competency, and the need to refer is being drummed into us.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"For me, I would alert the person that if they disclosed to me anything that might affect other staff or put people or children at risk that I could be obliged to pass on the information.

Also that I am not qualified as a counsellor to comment or advise and reassure them that the counsellor could help. Hopefully referring them to the appropriate person, if possible.

Have you done my course?

To pass a professional board I would have to agree with the benice response...

In my life I come from your part of your post...

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