Types of Welfare Services
Welfare Management deals with provision of welfare services in two categories-
- Individual/Personal services
- Group services
Individual/Personal services require a personal casework wherein a need is established and an analysis makes it clear that help is required which is best given by the welfare service available. It is best to have specialised welfare officers so that they are different from line management and an employee is provided with utmost confidentiality and the trust that it is not going to stand in his/her future career in any way. Welfare action in this case is based on diengagement such that once the employee is able to stand on his own feet there would be no further action taken. It does not rule out any follow-ups but only in lieu of the plan of implementation and not provide additional help unless absolutely mandatory. Emergency action might also be taken in cases by the individual, if necessary.
Examples include: sickness, counselling, bereavement, domestic problems, special services for elderly or retired employees, other employment problems etc
Group services are implemented when having certain facilities or activities is considered good for the morale of the workforce and believed to lead to increased motivation and productivity. Generally there is no evidence in such a case and the facilities should be shared in an agreed and controlled manner with the local community. Also group services usually involve a lot of cost and should be provided only if there is a real demand incase of a lack of local facilities or a very strong community spirit associated with it.
Examples include: Social clubs, sports centres, restaurants etc.
Child-care facilities could come under either of the above 2 categories, though are best provided for individual employees but on a collective basis.
