Book review |
Employee well-being support: a workplace resource
Edited by Andrew Kinder, Rick Hughes and Cary L. Cooper. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2008. ISBN 978-0-470-05900-5. Price: £29.99. 339 pp.Employee well-being including the emotional and psychological health of employees is a topic that is becoming increasingly discussed by employers and occupational health (OH) professionals. This book has contributions from >30 authors, principally psychologists but also several occupational physicians. It is edited by a strong team with significant experience in the areas of organizational psychology and employee assistance. It is aimed at a wide range of practitioners working in the fields of human resources, OH, counselling and organizational psychology.
Employee Well-being Support covers current developments in employee support and provides guidance to inform everyday practice in the workplace. It is made up of three parts
- (i) Organizational Behaviour Issues and Well-being,
- (ii) Responding to Specific Organizational Challenges and
- (iii) Mental Health, Emotions and Work.
- (ii) Responding to Specific Organizational Challenges and
The first section covers the work environment and how this might inspire or drain the workforce. It covers proactive and reactive intervention strategies aimed at assisting the organization such as management coaching, behaviour risk management or developing coping strategies. A chapter that covers organizational duty of care and the role of workplace counselling as part of this is particularly well written and relevant to most OH professionals.
Section two covers specific organizational challenges such as dealing with traumatic incidents, suicide, sudden death and bullying. Employee Assistance Programmes as well as workplace counselling and coaching are covered in detail and again these chapters will be of relevance to many OH physicians, particularly those working with larger organizations where these services are provided.
The final section covering mental health, emotions and work focuses on supporting people back to work following absence as well as how stress can be tackled. Mediation, counselling, coaching and mentoring are discussed within the context of vocational rehabilitation. The concept that ‘work is good for health’ is evident on reading this section and this message is reassuring to see. The negative health consequences of absence and unemployment are covered.
In summary, this is a very readable book on a topic that has not traditionally been seen as mainstream OH, but which is becoming increasingly integrated into a modern OH service. Many OH physicians are working more closely than ever with psychological support services and this book provides a helpful insight into their services. Where relevant, the evidence base behind interventions is discussed. This will be a useful reference book for many OH physicians, particularly those working with larger organizations.
Rating
(Borrow from the library)
e-mail: james.mackie{at}grosvenorhealth.com
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