Cox Associates: Employment Expertise
Employers are increasingly aware that they have a duty of care and that staff may be stressed by home or work situations. They will seriously under-perform and, if left untreated, may take a very long time to recover. Accidental injuries may also have considerable psychological consequences, leading to long absence from work or poor performance. Cox Associates' psychologists do reports for employers who are both concerned for the welfare of their staff and keen to have them back as efficient workers.
Solicitors & insurance companies now recognise that it is in everyone's interest for employment to be resumed quickly. Our occupational psychologists, under the leadership of Helen Card, have considerable experience in return to work.
The following are some of the areas in which psychologists have been able to assist in maintaining a healthy workplace & getting staff back to psychological well-being & effective working:
- Conditions at work — The correct equipment & working environment;
- Changed work conditions — Managing change & adequate training;
- General change — Roles, relationships & responsibilities;
- Bullying & Harassment — Identifying problems & dealing with them effectively;
- De-briefing — Effective de-briefing, after critical incidents, such as death or injury to colleagues, robberies, etc.;
- Mental health problems — Assessment & treatment;
- Rehabilitation — After illness or injury;
- DDA Issues — Issues arising from the Disability & Discrimination Act;
- Stress — Assessment & treatment of workplace stress;
- Therapy — Recommendations about treatment or therapy.
Case Studies
Mr O applied for the position of Investigating Officer within a company but was unsuccessful at interview so proceeded to an employment tribunal. Our Psychological report in this case found that Mr O had a general learning disability of mild severity requiring significant ongoing support to cope with change and complexity. This case found in favour of the company since had Mr O been recruited he was unlikely to cope with the complexities of the job.
Allegations of bullying were made against an employee of a financial organisation who was subsequently suspended pending an investigation with a view to dismissal. Our psychological assessment found that the employee was suffering from high levels of stress and depression as a result of poorly managed organisational change which mitigated against his behaviour.