TIPS IN RUNNING AN ORGANIZATION COUNSELING

                                        by NJAVIKE NEEMA

1. Deal with dignity: The current job losses have more to do with corporate greed and a system failure. An individual is more a victim of circumstances. This should be communicated clearly to assuage feelings of the individual.
2. Give time: Give indications of an impending job loss as early as possible and avoid shock impact. This gives the employee time to think of alternatives in a job loss situation. Importantly, the employee might try and improve productivity.
3. Build courage and confidence: Highlight strengths of the individual and build personal confidence level. Irrespective of personal circumstances, retaining confidence and mental balance, is critical.
4. Offer help: Offer personal and corporate help. More important than offering help is to listen patiently and offer whatever help is possible.
5. Involve family, where possible: A job loss affects the family and hence, where the employee is receptive, involve the family in counselling.
6. Assure reemployment on priority: An economic recovery would follow the recession and employment opportunities would come up, in due course. It would be a good gesture, to offer reemployment, at the earliest opportunity.
7. Give positive references: Give good and positive references to employees terminated to improve their chances of sourcing an alternate employment.
8. Allow use of facilities: As far as possible, allow a usage of corporate facilities, especially where there is no direct cash outflow. Typical facilities would include transport, sports, club, library, canteen etc.
9. Offer subsidy: In large companies, employees are eligible for a variety of benefits including transport, housing and furniture. Where possible, continue to offer these facilities at a subsidised price, for a short period of three to six months or offer to sell assets at a depreciated price.
10. Communicate: Most importantly, involve the employee and listen empathetically. Keep in touch with the employee at some frequency to sustain courage to face the crisis and instill a ray of hope to come out of the crisis successfully.