health

Choose a setting

• Choose a venue where you can talk without being disturbed

• Turn your phone off or set it to silent mode

• Give yourself plenty of time so you don’t appear to be in a hurry

Talking and listening

• Keep the chat positive and supportive, asking open questions. Explore the issues and how you may be able to help

• Keep your body language open and non-confrontational

• Be empathetic and take them seriously

• Do not offer glib advice such as “pull yourself together” or “cheer up”

• Give the person your full focus and listen non-judgementally, without interrupting

Support and follow-up

• Give reassurance that there are lots of sources of support available

• Keep the conversation going – follow up and ask them how they are doing

• Reassure them that your door is always open, and really mean it

• Keep in touch with employees who are off sick

• Encourage the person to visit their GP.

Thanks to Umbrella Health and Safety for allowing us to reproduce these tips. For more information visit www.uhas.co.uk