The Gains of Listening: : Perspectives on Counselling at Work

Citation

Gammie, B. (1999), "The Gains of Listening: : Perspectives on Counselling at Work", Personnel Review, Vol. 28 No. 1/2, pp. 152-153. https://doi.org/10.1108/pr.1999.28.1_2.152.1

The aim of this book as stated in the introductory section is to “…have some modest input on policy makers responsible for matters concerning health and employment”. The area highlighted is vast but the aim is realistic and achievable if the contributors and level of discussion is delivered in a format that is approachable enough for the non‐specialist business decision‐makers. This book has achieved this. It is presented in a user‐friendly, non‐jargonistic format that lends itself to readers from any discipline. In addition, the subject material discussed is applicable to the audience initially targeted. The range and diversity of contributors enrich the book and it is refreshing to find academics and non‐academics together in a single publication. This gives the book a much more balanced perspective than other similar literature in this area, although books in this area have tended to be written by the academic for the academic, or alternatively are more of the operational instruction manual type provided by assistance programme providers themselves. The editor has set out with a specific market in mind and the book that he has produced should more that satisfy his targeted niche.

The structure of the book permits the business manager to dip in and out, to read around the area that she/he is in need of information about. The quality of each contribution is high with the sections on debt counselling and financial advice, and family and relationship problems particularly noteworthy. The former gives sound advice and practical ground rules and pro formas for assisting staff with monetary difficulties and associated difficulties such as alcohol abuse or relationship breakdown. The latter gives an excellent example of how organisations should ignore family life at their peril if they are seeking to enable staff to work at maximum productivity. The book is couched between an introductory section relating to the historical developments and key issues of employee counselling and an analysis of the current problems and emerging trends. This gives the book a sound structural base with specialist contribution between these two sections.

The ability of all the authors to outline the relevant arguments, theoretical underpinning and relevant empirical evidence is unquestionable. A number of case studies are utilised which allows for the reader to identify how difficult issues can be resolved and how a general resolution principle may be applied to a range of similar scenarios. In addition, a host of useful reference material is included after each section in the form of contact names and addresses of organisations that may be able to assist both individuals and organisations in each specific area of analysis. The question of whom this book would appeal to is an interesting one. It does not add to the body of knowledge relating to workplace counselling; thus it has little value to academic researchers. However, as a reference guide to current thinking and developments to date, it is of some use. As stated above, the aim is to influence strategic decision‐makers within organisations, and the structure and quality of the book allows this aim to be reached.