The Role of External Consultation Services Beyond Harassment Prevention

Harassment prevention is frequently cited as a reason for companies to establish internal consultation services.

From the perspectives of legal compliance and risk management, the role played by consultation services is extremely important.

On the other hand, it is not uncommon to hear the following concerns regarding internal consultation services.

It is honestly difficult to talk to supervisors or HR.
I am worried about how much of the consultation content will be shared.
Will my position be compromised if I seek advice?

Due to these anxieties, a situation can arise where the internal consultation service exists but is not used
.

For this reason, an increasing number of companies are introducing external consultation services in addition to internal ones.

From my position of having been involved in many consultations in the field, I feel that the role of an external consultation service is by no means limited to handling harassment.

External consultation services that exist but are not used

Even when external consultation services are established, it is not rare for employees to be unaware of their existence, not know how to use them, or hesitate to seek advice.

This does not necessarily mean there are no problems in the workplace.
Many employees harbor the following thoughts.

• Consulting seems like it will turn into a big deal

• Won't I be making someone out to be the bad guy?

• I am afraid of HR or my supervisor finding out

• I cannot yet say for sure that it is harassment

In other words, employees are looking for a place where they can speak with peace of mind rather than just a correct place to consult.

Many consultations are about gray-area concerns

In reality, many of the consultations received cannot be categorized as harassment from the start.

• I have a vague sense of discomfort in my relationship with my supervisor

• I don't know if it's guidance or pressure

• My motivation for work has dropped compared to before

• I don't want to quit, but I'm feeling distressed

These concerns are a state where career issues and workplace environment issues overlap.

What is important here is not immediately 'establishing facts' or 'judging right from wrong'.

First, it is about the individual organizing their own feelings and having the time and space to do so.

An external consultation service is not a 'place for whistleblowing'

When people hear 'external consultation service,' they sometimes have the image of it being a
'place to report problems' or a 'window for whistleblowing'.

However, I believe it should fundamentally be a place where you can safely organize feelings of discomfort that have not yet been put into words
.

• After talking about it, I felt a little calmer

• I've started to see what I'm struggling with

• I've been able to organize who to talk to within the company and how to convey it

Being able to provide support at this stage is the great value of an external consultation service.

External consultation services as career support

The characteristic of an external consultation service provided by career consultants is that it can provide support without labeling things as black or white.

• Not forcing someone to decide whether to quit or continue

• Not determining who is at fault

• Organizing words at the individual's own pace

Having this type of engagement allows employees to feel that they do not have to carry their burdens alone.

As a result, this also leads to the prevention of major problems and sudden resignations.

The Value of External Consultation Services for Companies

An external consultation service is not a mechanism for managing employees.

I feel it is a mechanism that quietly conveys a company's stance of valuing its people.I feel it is a mechanism that quietly conveys a company's stance of valuing its people.

• It is okay to speak up.

• It is okay to be uncertain.

• It is okay to take time to organize your thoughts.

Just knowing that such an environment exists allows employees to look forward and work with a bit more positivity.

Re-evaluating the role of external consultation services not only as a measure against harassment, but also from the perspective of talent retention and career development.

I believe this will become increasingly important in future corporate support.

Supplement: What We Value as an External Consultation Service

At our external consultation service, we incorporate accessible methods such as LINE, while strictly maintaining confidentiality to ensure we create an environment where employees can speak with peace of mind. We believe that
knowing it is safe to talk
is the first step toward support.

Thank you for reading until the end.