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WHAT DOES THIS CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR TRAINING COVER?
Within a company, the confidential counsellor is the point of contact for employees who are not feeling well.
A confidential counsellor in the company is responsible for the well-being policy and follows the legislation on psychosocial risks.
The person in question must not only be aware of current legislation and procedures, but must also be able to communicate clearly with employees and resolve conflicts.
WHAT DOES A CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR DO?
A confidential counsellor acts when problems arise that relate to psychosocial risks at work.
By this we mean:
- Bullying
- Unwanted sexual behaviour
- Aggression
- Stress
- Conflicts
A confidential counsellor is the right hand of the prevention adviser and ensures an open and safe atmosphere in the workplace.
WHAT DOES THE TRAINING OFFER?
In the confidential counsellor training, the emphasis is on practice through cases, role-plays and trainers with years of experience.
The following topics are covered in the confidential counsellor training (art. I.3-58)
- Module 1 (at least 3 hours): legal framework - what is the role and status of the confidential counsellor?
- Module 2 (at least 3 hours): what do we mean by psychosocial risks at work?
- Module 3 (at least 6 hours): interview techniques in the context of psychosocial interventions
- Module 4 (at least 18 hours): mediation and management of problem situations and conflicts in psychological interventions
WHAT ARE THE BASIC TASKS OF A CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR?
The range of tasks is not strictly defined. The main tasks are
- Participating in the collective prevention policy in collaboration with the prevention adviser
- Including providing the administrative information for drawing up the annual report
- Assisting employees with advice and support in personal cases:
- Listening
- Supporting
- Giving neutral advice
- Referring on
- Mediating in conflicts if necessary
Thanks to this course, you quickly learn to recognise the symptoms of psychosocial risks and can intervene in time.
A confidential counsellor has a duty of confidentiality, including towards the employer.
They adopt an impartial, objective attitude and pass no judgement on an employee's performance.
CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR: LEGALLY REQUIRED OR NOT?
Appointing one or more confidential counsellors is voluntary, but strongly recommended.
“When the psychosocial prevention adviser is part of an external service for prevention and protection at work, at least one of the confidential counsellors must be part of the company's staff (from 20 employees).”
“It is necessary that there is at least one person with a thorough knowledge of the internal workings of the company, so that the problem that arises can be more easily understood and so that at least one of the people who intervene is more easily accessible to the employees.”
“In addition, all the employee representatives on the Committee can ask the employer to appoint a confidential counsellor.”
A confidential counsellor in the workplace makes it easy for employees to call for help in time.
Especially for employees who face violence, bullying or unwanted sexual behaviour at work, it is pleasant to be able to turn directly to someone from their own staff.
In cases of conflict, workload and uncertainty about the content of tasks too, it is easier to approach an internal confidential counsellor than to take the step towards the external service for protection and prevention at work.
WHO CAN BECOME A CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR?
This confidential counsellor course is specifically for:
- Employees who perform the role of confidential counsellor
- Employees who will take on the role in the future
Since 1 September 2014, every new confidential counsellor must follow a training of at least 5 days within two years of their appointment.
In principle, all of the employer's staff members can become a confidential counsellor, with the exception of a few roles.
The following people cannot take on the task of confidential counsellor: the employer, managers (except middle management), the prevention adviser, the representative of the employer or employees on the works council or the Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work, and members of the union delegation.
Whoever successfully completes the “Confidential counsellor basic training” receives the official “Confidential counsellor” certificate afterwards.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
Appointing a confidential counsellor is not legally required, but when the psychosocial prevention adviser is part of an external service for prevention and protection at work, at least one of the employees must be appointed as a confidential counsellor (except if the company has fewer than 20 employees).
Since 1 September 2014, every new confidential counsellor must follow a training of at least 5 days within two years of their appointment.
To this end, the confidential counsellor follows the training to acquire these skills as well as to improve them, in particular through the supervisions referred to in annex I.3-1, B) which take place at least once a year.” (Code, book I, title 3)
Frequently asked questions
What does a confidential counsellor do?
The confidential counsellor is the point of contact for psychosocial risks at work such as bullying, unwanted sexual behaviour, aggression, stress and conflicts.
Is a confidential counsellor legally required?
Appointing one is in principle voluntary, but mandatory (at least one internal) when the psychosocial prevention adviser is external, from 20 employees onwards.
How long does the training take?
Every new confidential counsellor must follow a training of at least 5 days within two years of appointment.