Extra Support for Northumberland Employees
20 July 2009
Northumberland based charity, DAWN Advice is urging the region's businesses to offer employees additional support as the North East continues to fight through the recession.
Through DAWN Advice's Employee Assistance Programme, a telephone counselling service, organisations can provide their staff members with free and confidential help and advice on matters relating to debt, welfare benefits and housing.
Worries surrounding finance and housing can have a big impact on individuals both in their personal and work lives. The Employee Assistance Programme gives employees the opportunity to access information and guidance easily and conveniently over the telephone.
Liz Chadwick, Chief Executive of DAWN Advice, said starting the programme could play a key role in boosting staff morale.
She explained: "The Employee Assistance Programme offers a practical service for the region's organisations and is an important method in improving staff well-being. This is a difficult time for both employers and their staff members; however the service allows individuals to talk through their concerns with experienced and understanding professionals."
The Employee Assistance Programme works to increase efficiency and commitment in the workplace as well as reducing costs and absentee levels. The service helps employees to reduce stress and anxiety which will in turn improve their health and well-being.
Liz added: "This programme offers support and advice around matters that can be particularly sensitive and can also cause a great deal of stress to individuals. To ensure callers are as comfortable as possible, every caller is assigned an adviser so each time they call they hear a friendly voice which they know they can trust.
"It's a little bit of a cliché, but happier workers really will be more productive. By providing the right support employers can help stop this recession from becoming a depression."
Companies involved with the programme receive a dedicated advice-line for their employees to call if they have worries or issues around finance. Callers are then assigned a fully-trained adviser to help individuals work through their situation - and where necessary sign-post to specialist organisations.
Set up in 1998, DAWN Advice is a Northumberland-based social enterprise and a member of the UK's largest network of free, advice-providing organisations, adviceuk and will now become a Member of the National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureau. It offers advice and information on a number of issues including debt, housing, employment, welfare benefits and family law.
For more information on the Employee Assistance Programme contact DAWN Advice on 01670 785 505.