TfL Ref: FOI-1903-1617
Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 January 2017 asking for information about counselling. I apologise for the delay in my response.
The well-being of our staff is one of our top priorities, and when needed, we offer support through our Occupational Health department, as well as the employee’s GP, the London Underground Trauma Support Group or our Employee Helpline.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.
· Over the last four financial years how many TfL staff have been treated/referred via your organisation for counselling? Can I have that broken down year by year.
In 2015/16, 1060 employees received counselling. Between 2010 and 2014/15, 4,750 employees received counselling. We have recently changed our reporting system and unfortunately we are currently unable to provide any further breakdown.
· How much has that counselling cost TfL over the last four years? Can I have that broken down year by year.
We do not hold information on the exact cost of counselling as we do not hold figures for some of the costs involved, including the cost of release of employees and cost of the facilities we occupy. In addition, we do not keep records that split the time of counsellors between counselling and other work or that identify the time spent by administrative staff on activities relating to counselling.
· Can I have a list of reasons why people have sought counselling? And ideally numbers for each of the reasons.
Please see the table below for the main reasons for seeking counselling in the last financial year – as previously mentioned, the change to our reporting system means we are unable to provide any further breakdown:
| 2015-16 | No of Employees |
| Counselling-Stress | 450 |
| Counselling-Anxiety | 232 |
| Counselling-Depression | 200 |
| Counselling-Other trauma | 139 |
| Counselling-Bereavement | 123 |
| Counselling-Relationship/marital | 99 |
| Counselling-Assault | 94 |
| Counselling-Train suicide | 91 |
| Counselling-Work-related | 77 |
| Counselling-Near miss | 58 |
| Counselling-Other | 39 |
| Counselling-Medical | 31 |
| Counselling-Grievance | 30 |
| Counselling-Unknown | 22 |
| Counselling-Multiple Trauma | 17 |
| Counselling-Harassment | 14 |
| Counselling-Anger Management | 12 |
The number of employees listed here is greater than the figure provided in answer to the first question above, as some employees will have sought counselling for several issues. The in-house counselling they received can also lead to other forms of support if assessment finds that counselling is not appropriate or needed.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Lee Hill
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
