Hotline - 089 80 99 027 00
Anyone facing serious problems, whether familial or work-related, cannot give one hundred percent at work. What is already considered a standard offer for all employees in many companies in the USA is now finding its way into German companies: EAP (Employee Assistance Program) – a program that also includes psychosocial counseling.
The downtimes of employees due to psychological stress have more than doubled in the past 20 years. According to the DAK Health Report, in 2016, mental illnesses accounted for 16.2 percent of absenteeism. The trend is rising. The costs incurred for companies are immense. Based on data from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), they amount to around 21.06 billion euros. The possible causes for the increase are manifold.
In their 2016 Threat Barometer study, Dr. Julia Hapkemeyer, Lisa Zimathies, and Nicole Scheibner attribute the rise in mental illnesses to the fact that the working world is increasingly characterized by exponentially growing amounts of information and continuously accelerating communication. Constant availability, increased workload, and changes in ever-shorter cycles are just some of the factors that an increasing number of employees find psychologically demanding. This ongoing psychological stress can negatively impact health.
One reason for this is that in 2013, the legislator anchored the assessment of psychological stress within the framework of occupational hazard assessments in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Companies of all sizes are encouraged to address potential psychological stress factors in the workplace and to eliminate or at least reduce them. Many have invested in comprehensive stress and health management programs, including Employee Assistance Programs offering psychosocial counseling.
Affected employees thus have access to confidential contact points that quickly and flexibly offer advice on problems in the professional environment, mental stress, family crises, or personal conflicts, and if necessary, assist in finding professional help.
This includes the psychosocial counseling provided by famPLUS. Psychotherapists, graduate social educators, coaches, family therapists, and trauma specialists offer quick and confidential support to employees of famPLUS clients on a wide range of topics. With the aim of promoting or restoring the stability, health, and performance of the staff, they advise on work-related issues, family challenges, provide resource-oriented support, recommend solution-focused approaches, and, if necessary, refer to addiction-specific counseling centers.
The offer is not only aimed at employees. A team leader or manager can also seek advice out of consideration for their staff.
Anke Noack is a systemic coach and owner of the Systemic Practice Community SYSTEAM SELLNER NOACK. She has been working in crisis support for over 17 years, has six years of experience in outpatient psychosocial care, and has also been working for famPLUS since June 2016. "The problems that employees approach me with are very diverse. However, the majority are family burdens, such as a partner's mental illness, a child with a physical disability, or a death," Noack explains.
Events that change one's priorities and make the job seem like a "trifle." "It's not uncommon for job insecurities to add to this," reports the consultant. These are caused, for example, by a merger or the transition to "open offices," where employees no longer have their own desks. The result: symptoms of exhaustion, such as weight gain or loss, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, or disinterest in social contacts.
Many affected individuals find relief simply through a consultation," says Noack. "A call to famPLUS or an email is enough, and we try to contact the affected person the same day." The consultant and her colleagues then assist with conversations, but also provide information about local counseling centers, the procedure, and the financing of therapy, up to advising on the appropriate form of therapy. "The fact that I work in Munich is usually not a problem for most people. A phone call is even quicker and easier for many to coordinate. If further consultation is needed beyond the call, the nationwide network of consultants offers all possibilities," says Noack.
The anonymity of the employee is always maintained and confidentiality is ensured. Only if active support in networking with another advisor is desired, a confidentiality release from the requester will be required. Requesters only need to provide an email address or a phone number as well as the employer's name. Even when billing services with the employer, the consultants and famPLUS do not disclose any information about those seeking help.
For billing, we only pass on the number of consulting employees without providing any information about location and contact details," says Johannes Winklmair, Head of Elder Care & Psychosocial Counseling at famPLUS. "Our counselors can only be released from confidentiality in extreme emergencies." For example, in the case of an immediate suicidal intent. But we haven't had that case yet. In our counseling sessions, the primary focus is on allowing those affected to "let off steam"—to talk their worries off their minds," Winklmair says. "The increasing number of calls shows how important our work is and how much relief it brings to those affected.
famPLUS - Together for your personal PLUS!
