Individual or Personal welfare management deals with provision of welfare services for the causes below-
- Work-related problems: Any issues arising in the workplace are ideally settled by an employee having a discussion with his line manager. However, at times there could a need for third party counselling as an employee may want to discuss interpersonal relations or even inadequecy & may not be very comfortable relieving himself infront of these people worked with daily. Hence, it is good to have a provision for counselling services which maintain utmost confidentiality and suggest ways to help an employee help himself better as well as not giving personal opinions on other people involved.
- Domestic Problems: Employees spend a majority of their time at work and hence it is but natural for them to bring to office their domestic affairs which may possibly hamper their productivity. Just talking about the issues on one’s mind apart from work can help an employee feel better and with ways to help himself suggested by a counselling department can not only make the worker feel more loyal towards the organization but also want to lend support to peers facing similiar problems. Hence, providing internal counselling services which help gain guidance to get out of debt, provide marriage counselling or suggest expert advice to sort out family affairs can go a long way in increasing motivation and employee effectiveness.
- Sickness: Welfare services in this case aim to provide help and advice to employees who have been missing from work since long periods of time due to some illness. The social reason behind doing so is to provide support and counsel wherein a need exists, allievate loneliness or putting in touch with suitable organizations and there is no aid from the state or from the employee’s family. The practical reason of course is to see an employee back at work as soon as possible. However, care should be taken that the gesture is not overdone by not contacting an employee for at least 10 days since the absence or incase sick leave for a year has been exhausted. Then also the interaction should be started by mailing a letter with general good wishes asking if any support is needed. This should be done preferably by the line manager, sending along a self addressed stamped envelope to ease the reply process. There may be cases wherein no response is received from the employees side due to reluctance and then a decision has to be taken by the management whether a visit should be arranged based on facts about the employee and his/her circumstances. Visits can be made by the line manager/colleague/HR officer/specialised welfare officer or even retired employees whose services can be used.
- Coming-of-age or Retirement problems: Retired employees particularly those that have held long periods of service in an organization deserve the interest of their employer. Some organizations have special provisions and work areas already assigned for their elderly employees which may make them a bit too aware of the treatment being given or overly dependent on those services but such provisions are meant to help. Health & Safety services in such cases have to be taken particular care of so that an employee’s age does not enhance danger of accidents or industrial disease. Apart from this sick-visiting & social occasions are also provided. Preparation for retirement is also a valuable service provided by an employer. This may be done by holding special pre-retirement courses during working hours or providing advise on facilities that local authorities provide.
- Bereavement: During this time an employee can do with all the help and advice possible. State Welfare services might not be able to extend too much help wherein families are non-existant but established welfare services in industry and public sector attach a lot of importance to getting the bereaved employee/widow/widower in touch with the right organizations, dealing with funeral arrangements, will and probate matters.
