How offering Retrenchment Counselling Support can improve the entire process of terminating employees.
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| All employees find it difficult and upsetting when staff members are laid off. During these periods, decision-makers and executors within the company will also be under a great deal of stress. Because of this, they find it challenging to offer staff extra emotional support at that time, which is why it is advised that this be administered by an independent and professional service provider. |
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| Governmental bodies in Singapore have been focusing more on the requirement that businesses offer greater counselling support during these turbulent periods. |
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| In January 2023, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TEFAP) updated their "Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment". Section 14 of this advisory states: "Employers must do their part to ensure that the retrenchment is carried out in a respectful manner, and with compassion. This includes the manner in which affected employees are notified and the type of support they receive thereafter. Responsible employees should consider the following good practices... e) Employers should be sensitive to the emotional needs of affected employees. Where necessary, counselling support should be offered." |
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| The cost of providing counselling support during this time is very small, in comparison to other related expenses, but the impression that providing counselling fosters, has several advantages: |
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- It will make retrenched employees feel supported and reduce their emotional response.
- It will significantly reduce the stress load on the executors of the lay-offs, knowing there is someone there specifically trained to handle the emotional responses of those being let go.
- It will protect the internal culture of the company due to the perception it creates with remaining staff.
- It will protect a company's brand by highlighting its commitment to employees who remain as well as making retrenched employees feel supported.
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| "What we don't need in the midst of struggle is shame for being human" |
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| Brene Brown - Lecturer & Author |
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What is Retrenchment Counselling Support?
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| Retrenchment counselling support offers immediate & brief professional assistance to people who have just had a life-impacting experience. Its purpose is to help individuals process this experience and return to previous levels of physical, cognitive and emotional functioning. This short-term professional support focuses primarily on the immediate problem. Prompt and focused psychological support can help prevent the development of significant longer-term reactions. This will also encourage the development of new coping skills to help the individual function more effectively. |
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| In the event that a person is seriously affected, and is judged by the attending counsellor to be unstable, they will be referred to Client HR management for consideration of further support for that person. |
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| We provide guidance for your employees through these experiences, ensuring their mental and emotional stability are maintained through: |
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- Individual counselling & emotional support
- Self-care & wellbeing presentations.
- Support group sessions.
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| "Our team in Singapore are beyond grateful that Harmony Counselling was here supporting us for the past 2 days. The management team and I would like to thank you for your professional services and time spending with us. We look forward to working with you and your amazing team in near future again!" |
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| (Client's name withheld for confidentiality reasons) |
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| Harmony Counselling is the only specialist provider of retrenchment counselling support services in Singapore. We provide proven, realistic solutions to workplace Mental Health issues for Singapore-based companies. Our focused programs help to improve productivity, initiative, loyalty and, ultimately, the bottom line. We draw on significant business experience, enabling us to deliver support resources in a language that employees will recognise & understand and we provide affordable services. |