Fórsa trade union members in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council met in late October to discuss council management's failure to employ a full time staff counsellor/staff welfare officer.

Since the previous counsellor retired in July 2017, management have provided a limited service just once a week. Following representation by the union, management then committed to increasing this to two days per week. However, staff continue to face difficulty accessing appointments.

Chairperson of Fórsa’s Dún Laoghaire Rathdown branch, Gerry O’Quigley said it’s essential for the counsellor to be employed on a full time basis. “It’s vital to have some one embedded in the organisation so they fully understand the issues staff present to them and are able to provide accurate and helpful advice” he said.

The Branch carried out a survey of its members on the issue, and found that 90% of respondents believed the council should provide a full time service. Of those who had previously used the service, 37% accessed it for mainly workplace-based issues, with a further 26% requiring counselling in relation to general mental health issues.

Gerry added: "The employment of a full time staff counsellor was a very progressive facility provided by the Council until 2017. Countless staff availed of the service over the years and the decision by council management to withdraw this full time service has caused distress to many of our members. It is deeply unfortunate that at a time when well-being in the workplace is receiving more focus, this service should be reduced by the council."

The branch is calling on management to reinstate the full time service.