When counseling employees, you may use one of two approaches. In directive counseling, you ask pointed questions about the problem. When you feel that you have a good idea of what is behind the problem, then you suggest steps that the employee might take to overcome it. In nondirective counseling, you assume the role of listener, encouraging the employee to talk about any ongoing problems. Slowly, using open-ended questions, you move the discussion to the situation for which counseling is needed. Done correctly, indirective counseling is usually more effective than directive counseling, because the employee is first to recognize the need for change and comes up with solutions to accomplish it.
Did You Know . . . ?
Employee assistance programs have been found effective. A study by the U.S. Department of Labor found that EAPs return as much as $5 to $16 for every $1 invested.