THE UNDERSTANDING OF WORKPLACE COUNSELLING: A STUDY ON UNIVERSITY SAMPLE

Year 2010, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 31 - 37, 01.12.2010

F. Ceyda Aydogdu Ezgi Uzel

Abstract

Uncertainty becomes a major problem for employees in today’s unstable economy. Stress creates
a negative psychological impact on employees at workplace, and it is one of the main reasons of
declining performance of employees. No matter what causes the stress at workplace, managers of
an organization should be aware of the need for a support program for their employees (Hindle,
1998:61). The purpose of this study is to form a base for further quantitative studies by
discovering the perspectives of employees of a university towards the workplace counselling
programs. In this study, focus group technique is used as one of the qualitative research methods.
Sample of the study consist of 16 participants from one of the universities of Istanbul. The
objective of the study is explained in detail to the participants to make them aware of the
mentioned subject. Different types of Employee Assistance Programs are discussed, and it is
argued that universities might benefit from introducing such programs.

Keywords

Workplace Counselling, Social Support, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Organizational Stress

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