Counselling

Policies should include the offer of counselling to assist employees through the procedure and to help them deal with the negative effects of their experience. Counselling services should be funded by the employer, as part of an occupational health scheme for example, and time off to attend counselling sessions should be paid and not counted as sickness absences. The availability of counselling should be publicised, as should the procedure for referral to a counsellor. Counsellors must be trained and independent, and the service should be strictly confidential. Support and counselling should also be made available to those carrying out the bullying or harassment, to help them to change. This is particularly useful if they do not understand why their behaviour was unacceptable.