Employee welfare is an important aspect of Donegal ETB’s staff support mechanisms and this is provided through our Employee Welfare Officer Marie Donnelly. But what exactly does this entail? In this blog Marie tells us more about it.
Donegal ETB is fully committed to the welfare and wellbeing of each employee.
We all experience difficulties which can impact on our performance at work or face challenges in our lives that make it difficult for us to do our jobs to the best of our ability.
Such difficulties may include, but are not limited to: family concerns, emotional, relationship difficulties, bereavement, work-related stress, ill health, addictions, financial and legal worries.
I am the designated Employee Welfare Officer for Donegal ETB based in the ETB Administrative Offices at Ard O’Donnell.
My role is to be present and listen to the employee and offer them the support available on a non- directional basis.
My role as Employee Welfare Officer is to provide a confidential support service and safe space for employees with Donegal ETB who have concerns and issues in their work or personal life that are impacting their lives.
This can be facilitated by listening to the concerns of the employee and imparting advice on the range and scope of Donegal ETB policies which may be appropriate in addressing their concerns and offering follow up as appropriate to their issues at the time.
Employees can be assured that any issues discussed will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality. The service is on a self-referral basis. Please note, no details will be disclosed to anyone unless with the prior consent of the employee.
As the Employee Welfare Officer, I provide the employee the opportunity to have the conversation and hear themselves think about what is unfolding for them. Building that trust and rapport with the employee so that their time is of value and solution focused for them.
Donegal ETB provides local counselling sessions, by a fully qualified registered counsellor who are registered on a current basis with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP). The employee can avail of (if required) a maximum of six counselling sessions.
In addition to the above, here are some useful resources that may be of benefit to the employees of Donegal ETB:
- Folláine le Chéile – Wellbeing Together Employment Assistance Service (EAS) – Spectrum Life: Teachers and SNAs who contact the EWO for support will, in the first instance, be referred to Spectrum Life who are the current Department of Education Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Services providers for Teachers and SNAs.
- For all other staff, a number of resources are available on Donegal ETB’s website (staff intranet) under Staff Wellbeing.
Promotion of Health and Wellbeing Activities
Donegal ETB, in supporting the promotion of Health and Wellbeing in the workplace, established a strategic workplace wellbeing group back in 2019 and a Staff Workplace Wellbeing Promoters Group where each school and centre nominated a Staff Wellbeing Promoter in their workplace.
Additionally, Donegal ETB also recognises the Health Service Executive in the promotion of activities which positively affect the health and wellbeing of its employees, e.g. Healthy Eating, fitness, smoking cessation, stress in the workplace, ill-health, first aid, etc.