Staff at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) are benefiting from a new
employee assistance programme designed to help them deal with the stresses of
modern life.
More than 60,000 civil servants have been given access to a confidential hotline,
offering advice and support on a variety of issues arising from home and work
life.
In the first two months since its launch, almost 600 troubled staff have
sought advice, with about 400 concerned over personal problems and 160
complaining about workplace issues.
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Kevin White, group HR director at DWP, said the hotline was launched partly
for business reasons but also to provide staff with a good working environment.
The hotline provides access to professionally-qualified counsellors, who can
set up private meetings for staff seeking advice on work or personal problems.