Action research on on-site counselling: Addressing employee mental health issues in improving workplace performance

• Main Author: Caindoy, Analyn D.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2020
• Subjects: Employees—Mental health; Employees—Rating of; Well-being; Human Resources Management; Performance Management
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/5993; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/13106/viewcontent/Caindoy__Analyn__11787961_On_SIte_Counselling_Addressing_Employee_Mental_Health_Issues_In_Improving_Workplace_Performance_1_Redacted.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Several studies showed the effects of mental wellbeing on employee work performance and why companies should invest in their employees’ wellbeing. This Action Research explored ways to improve Human Performance by increasing the utilization of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP is a counseling service for employees and is part of the bigger mental health program. It carefully identified the barriers in availing the EAP for the employees. The first cycle focused on utilizing the different action research and MBA tools to correctly identify the barriers to care which affected the utilization of EAP and implement the changes. The action researcher collaborated with the employees involved, the Enterprise health team, the management, and external EAP. The second cycle became unexpectedly difficult because the researcher and the collaborators were also the frontliners in responding to the pandemic. The team revisited the priorities using action research and MBA tools and agreed that the use of technology and online support for onsite counseling is more appropriate during these unprecedented times. The result showed a significant increase in the utilization of EAP at the end of the two cycles. Furthermore, based on gathered data, employees attested to the improvement of their mental health and work performance. The two cycles of this action research were shaped from the collaborative minds of various stakeholders and the common value of the organization on protecting its people and were guided by the RVR COB’s code of ethics on leading and managing people to promote human development and for the common good.