demonstrating a man with hidden trouble

Our hidden troubles

/in , /by

where can an employee turn for help, when faced with problems?

After 2020 the new 2021 year has confronted us with new additional turnarounds. The pandemia, the economic uncertainties, obligatory home office and the encumbered workplace social support has affected most of our partners. These problems added on top of those ones, which employees have wrestled before and during the pandemia. These have made it even more difficult to deal with those without any professional support relying exclusively on their own resources and support of their own private social network.

Accumulation of problems

In case an employee struggles with private or work related stress, it will necessarily impact more or less the concerned persons’ work performance.[1] The unsolved, long time existing troubles lead to constant status of stress, sleeping problems. Later on to such mental disorders, like anxiety, depression, and this way raising serious risks on mental health. But, where can an employee turn to ask for immediate help?

When it is better not to talk about

In a well operating organization with a secure social environment employees may share their troubles easier. Knowing, that in response they can count on understanding, empathy – and if they are given the chance – reduced workload. In other case it is more frequent, that neither in the organization nor in the given position such opportunities do not exist. In the expectation of any potential reorganization troubles seem to be better to be hidden due to the fear of possible disadvantages during the lay-off. Even from a more empathetic manager it cannot be expected to provide a permanent supporting presence under all circumstances. Especially when himself/herself may suffer from own difficulties (either private or work related). Because of all these reasons it occurs frequently, that the manager perceives the drop of performance, but does not know about the driving factors in the background, this way – even with the best intent – tries to tackle the issue with a training or a performance improvement program.

The reason of hiding

The question in which proportion do employees turn to the representatives of their employers with their mental problems was investigated by an international research in the US, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom involving 3894 employees.[1] According to the study 82% of the employees struggling with mental problems hide their status in front of their employer. The most frequent reasons for this are their fear from any retorsion, that can negatively impact their careers (38%); that their professional competence will be questioned (22%); the shame about their state (21%); that their ability for work will be doubted (10%). Maybe the most worrisome result of the research is that each tenth employee considers, if he/she would impart a confidence in sharing own struggle with mental problems, it can lead to the loss of their job.

How problem holders can get effective support

The study reveals the further conclusion, that almost half of the employees (43%) think that more health related workplace education programs as well as access to a proper supporting service were needed. Also almost half of the respondents (45%) consider, that in case of need they would use such a service with a better chance, if at their workplace open conversations were launched in relation to these topics. The Employee Assistance Service of ICAS Hungary is dedicated to provide a trusted channel to let employees to share their problems, in case of workplace difficulties to get support for their effective communication  towards their employers, with proper framing as well as channel, tone and timing. Our service helps to build or even re-build the trust between employees and employers. Our helpline is available in 24 hours each day of the week, the telephone is taken in each case by highly qualified and experienced psychologist colleagues, who are also available for a multi-occasion consultancy process and in case of emergency or risk they can direct employees to the proper organisations.  If as an employer You intend to provide such an opportunity to the employees of Your company, step in contact with us, and we are pleased to provide further information about our service elements and our related experience.

[1] https://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/pwh3rev.pdf

[2] https://www.ipsos.com/en/mental-health-workplace-global-impact-study

Coronavirus - ICAS CAP Crisis Assistance Program

CAP Crisis Assistance Program – supports your employees during the coronavirus pandemic

/0 Comments/in /by

The ICAS CAP Crisis Assistance Program supports your employees during the coronavirus pandemic:

  • CAP as a solution to the drawbacks of working from home
    Work still has to be done even in social isolation and despite the change in conditions. The CAP provides specific help for this individual internal and external transition process at all times by offering the exchange of experiences and practical solutions.
  • CAP as a solution to the drawbacks of being on lockdown
    Access to experts in daily life is restricted but sometimes, it is a necessity. Many experienced counselors are available in the CAP around the clock by phone, chat and video and provide practical instructions as a tool for self-help. The CAP supports your employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • CAP as a solution to personal insecurities
    Fear during a pandemic is completely normal. The CAP allows issues and/or fears to be discussed at any time with no time limit. This also applies to everyone in the employee’s household as these people have a significant impact on your employees working from home.
  • CAP as a solution to internal doubts
    No pandemic goes on forever. We will come out the other side of it. A talk with the CAP experts can boost this outlook and optimism and allows your employees to concentrate on the current work.

The ICAS CAP Crisis Assistance Program supports your employees during the coronavirus pandemic as follows: 

  • 24/7 counseling and support by phone or live chat for emotional or psychological issues (e.g. fears and worries regarding the coronavirus pandemic)
  • Personal counseling (1-8 sessions) with a psychotherapist via a secured video connection
  • Brochure in electronic format (PDF)
  • Introductory video
  • Anonymous final statistics about the use of the service

Price per employee £ 18* for a fixed term of 6 months

ICAS CAP+ (optional extra to the offer above)

  • Telephone support for practical and legal questions

Additional cost per employee £ 16*

*All prices excl. sales tax

Download ICAS CAP flyer

 

Contact us
Coronavirus - Massnahmen für Unternehmen

ICAS sends factsheet on coronavirus to customers

/0 Comments/in /by

Coronavirus – Coping with Health-Related Anxiety

On January 31, the World Health Organization officially declared the coronavirus epidemic a global health emergency. It is important that employees and their families are aware of some health basic information.

Signs and Symptoms:
The common earliest symptoms of coronavirus associated respiratory infections are fever, chills, rigors, muscle pains, headache, diarrhea, sore throat and a runny nose but these symptoms may not all be present. This early stage can then be followed by mild to moderate respiratory illness, with a fever above 38°C and cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulty. The majority of people who are infected with the coronavirus develop antibodies to the virus and gradually get better as they eliminate the virus from their bodies. Thus the risk is much higher for individuals who are chronically sick and elderly than in the young.

Transmission:
Transmission of coronavirus from person to person is usually by close contact with an infected individual. Usually transmission occurs when bodily fluids from an infected person come into contact with your eyes, nose or mouth through the infected person coughing or sneezing. Additionally, shaking hands or touching an object with particles on the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes can also cause the virus to spread.

Prevention:
W.H.O. recommends that people wash their hands regularly with soap, cover their mouths
and noses when coughing and sneezing and stay away from people who have signs of respiratory tract infection, such as a runny nose, coughing and sneezing. You can wear a facemask in public areas if you are concerned about risk.

Workplace Support:
As a workplace, you should make provision for employees to practice good hygiene and encourage sick employees to stay at home and seek a medical opinion before returning to work, if they have persistent fever, respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Coping with Health-Related Anxiety:
These developments are likely to cause anxiety and stress for you and your family. Be assured that this is a normal reaction to a danger that seems new and uncontrollable. A general feeling of helplessness and loss of control may arise. Psychological responses could be pessimism and symptoms of depression, a lack of concentration, constant worry about past, present and future and not being able to relax or enjoy life.

But there are ways to manage anxiety and stress:

  • Look at the situation rationally. The coronavirus may be contagious, but panic is far more contagious. Do not let collective fear guide you. Focus on facts and appeal to your rational mind. This will help reduce your fear. Find time to talk to friends. Friends can ease troubles and help us see things in a different way. Often, talking to someone will help you see things from a different and less stressful perspective.
  • Adopt a healthy lifestyle. If we eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and ensure we get adequate sleep and rest our body is better able to cope with stress should it occur.
  • Accept the things you cannot change. Changing a difficult situation is not always possible. If this is the case, recognize and accept things as they are and concentrate on things you do have control over.
  • Know your limitations and do not take on too much. We cause ourselves a great deal of stress because we like people to like us and do not want to let people down. Learn to be assertive so that you can say no without upsetting or offending. This might mean changing your holiday plans or cancelling social engagements.

ICAS. We change lives. Every day.

/0 Comments/in /by
Read more
ICAS Deutschland | Mitarbeiter Training für mentale Stärke

ICAS reinvents the Employee Assistance Program EAP

/0 Comments/in /by

Up to now, it has been difficult for smaller companies to be included in a counseling and support programme of an EAP provider. ICAS International closes this gap with the new service ICAS EAP Pure, which German companies can buy online. Through the straightforward purchase process and the possibility of immediate implementation, companies and employees directly benefit from the advantages of the ICAS Employee Assistance Program. Learn more.