The goal of this program is to enhance employee health and productivity. It consists of five, two-hour training sessions and can be offered in a variety of formats:

• The full five-session program can be delivered on a weekly basis (or other schedule that meets the client's needs);
• The full five-session program can be offered in a concentrated 1.5-day format

The training sessions are co-facilitated and can be delivered:

• Either to a group of supervisors/managers who work in a given setting or department or to supervisors/managers from a range of settings;
• To groups of varying numbers of supervisors/managers ranging up to 20 participants; or
• At the client's site or off-site at The Consultation Center.

The sessions at a glance:

Session 1. Understanding Stress and Promoting Adaptive Coping Strategies

SESSION SUMMARY: Participants are introduced to the program and to the role of managers and supervisors in helping employees cope with work, family, and work/family stressors. Procedures for promoting adaptive coping strategies among employees are learned and practiced, with a focus on facilitating problem-solving with employees.

OBJECTIVES:

• To orient participants to the program and to begin to develop group cohesiveness
• To introduce participants to a stress model and identify stressors faced by employees on the job, at home, and on the interface between work and family
• To increase participants understanding of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies
• To increase participants knowledge of a problem-solving approach as well as steps for facilitating problem-solving with their employees

Session 2. Clarifying Roles and Increasing Employee Decision Latitude

SESSION SUMMARY: Participants are introduced to the concepts of role ambiguity, role conflict, and work overload as work stressors that can impact the health, well-being, and productivity of employees. Participants practice clarifying and negotiating roles and discuss strategies to increase employee decision latitude.

OBJECTIVES:

• To increase participants understanding of role ambiguity, role conflict, and work overload as work stressors
• To increase participants knowledge and skills in clarifying and negotiating employees roles
• To identify areas in which employee decision-latitude may be increased

Session 3. Communicating Effectively With Employees

SESSION SUMMARY: The benefits and elements of effective communication are introduced.  Participants focus on active listening and assertive communication as essential skills for facilitating effective coping strategies with employees and maintaining supportive relationships with and among staff.

OBJECTIVES:

• To understand the benefits and elements of effective communication
• To learn about and practice active listening
• To understand the differences between passive, aggressive, and assertive styles of communication
• To identify situations in which participants wish to be more assertive

Session 4. Providing Feedback and Facilitating Open Organizational Communication

SESSION SUMMARY: Participants learn the benefits of providing feedback and communicating openly with employees. Strategies for positive feedback, constructive criticism, and coaching are discussed and practiced. Participants also learn the value of open organizational communication.

OBJECTIVES:

• To understand the benefits and elements of effective feedback
• To increase participants abilities to give effective feedback
• To promote open organizational communication
• To expand participants repertoire of strategies for engaging in organizational communication

Session 5. Providing Support and Promoting Teamwork

SESSION SUMMARY: Participants learn about social support and its relation to stress reduction. Strategies for providing support to employees, promoting teamwork, and resolving interpersonal conflicts are discussed and practiced.

OBJECTIVES:

• To increase supervisors understanding of social support as a buffer to stress
• To develop strategies for supporting employees and for fostering support among coworkers
• To learn and practice an approach for conflict management

For further information on this program, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call Dr. Snow at 203.789.7645.