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Most employees are going to go through personal struggles because after all, they’re only human. For so long, the widely held belief has been that personal issues need to stay out of the workplace, and if you’re struggling with one, you need to take time off to fix it. But this is starting to change as more and more employers are understanding that peer support groups within the workplace can be a better way of helping struggling employees. There are several benefits to having peer support networks in the workplace that should make them an important consideration for your company.

 

Coworkers Tend To Be Open To Listening And Talking About Issues

 

Most employees naturally sympathize with coworkers who are going through a mentally or emotionally difficult period, and as such they’re usually willing to make themselves available to them. Your employees are like a team, and when one team member is hurting, encouraging others to help them helps bring them all closer and strengthens coworker relationships. Those who are struggling need to know they aren’t alone and coworkers who may have experienced similar circumstances can encourage and point them in the right direction.

 

Managers Can Be Involved And Show They Care

 

Trust between managers and employees is also very important, and managers involved in peer support groups can show that they aren’t just there to crack the whip. It’s a chance for them to show that they look out for their employees as well, they can assure employees that they can come to them if there’s a problem. And if there are medical or professional counselors that could help through a company-supported benefits program, the manager can refer the employee to that.

 

Peer Support Groups Have Little Cost But Great Savings

Peer support groups can even be beneficial to the company financially since many of them are organized within the company and often are voluntary. You really don’t have to spend a lot of money if any to get a support network going in your company because it’s something that can be built into your culture. On top of that, think of how much can be saved by employees getting the help they need at work as opposed to having to request paid vacation or sick leave to take care of problems. That’s money worth saving.