Occupational social worker (staff welfare officer)

Last updated on 1 April 2022

Occupational social work offers advice and short-term counseling of employees who are at risk to get sick for work and/or private reasons.

_{What is occupational social work?}

Advice and short-term counseling of employees who are at risk to get sick due to psychosocial problems
Individually or groups
Advice for management and HRM
Identifying organizational problems

_{For which problems can one consult occupational social work? Some examples:}

_{Work problems}

Functioning and career problems
Personnel reduction (in company or department), resignation, transfer, reorganization
Problems in collaboration (with colleagues or management)
Stress, workload, heavy mental pressure, being overworked, burn out
First aid after traumatic events at work
Work reintegration after sick leave
Work/life balance

_{Personal problems}

Material problems (e.g. financial, housing and legal problems)
Relationship and family problems
Disease or disability
Subassertiveness, coping with grief and loss, addictions and other psychological problems
Informal care

_{In conversation}

In the first interview, the employee and the occupational social worker analyze the problem and discuss a plan of action. The occupational social worker helps finding solutions and offers ways to address the issues. The counseling is in principle short-lived. If longer-term counseling is required, the occupational social worker will refer to an external healthcare provider.

_{Professional secrecy}

Guidance is voluntary and confidential. The occupational social worker is bound to professional secrecy and will consult third parties (e.g. supervisor or HRM) only with the consent of the employee.

_Contact

The employee can be referred and also can make an appointment her-/himself by e-mail or telephone (contact details below).The interviews take place at Arbo & Milieu (HSE) in the Transitorium, online or by telephone.