ABSTRACT

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the specific counseling needs of employees in organizations. This meant to establish the necessity to integrate professional counseling at work places in order to solve work-related issues, personal problems and other problems. The study also aimed at investigating the relationship between counseling needs and personal characteristics of age, gender, marital status, educational level & professional qualification and length of service. The study utilized a survey research method with an application of descriptive research design. The study sample comprised of 60 employees from the five departments of Kenya Revenue Authority, Nairobi head office. The study targeted a total population of 1000 and the selection of the sample was done using stratified sampling techniques. The research used a questionnaire technique in data collection where a self developed 25 item inventory of KRA employees counseling needs was designed and used to gather data. The study made use of descriptive design where both qualitative & quantitative data was collected in order to determine correlate of counseling needs among the employees of KRA. Secondary data was sourced from organization records. The grouped data was analyzed through statistics package for social sciences (SPSS) which was used to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics where percentages and frequencies were used to describe variables; this helped to arrange, summarize and present variables as well as relationships among them. The chi-square test was used to establish whether there is a relationship between employees counseling needs and their personal characteristics of age, sex, marital status, academic & professional qualification and work experience. A 95% significance level (probability of 0.05) was utilized to determine the significance of the relationship. Results were discussed in relation to the research questions investigated. Their applications for counseling were thereafter drawn. The study had various findings; there were different types of counseling needs among the employees of KRA. The five main categories included; family/ marital problems; work related problems; health, safety and welfare; alcoholism and substance dependence; and finally, personal issues and challenges. Each type of counseling need was defined by the employees’ age, sex, marital status, academic and professional qualification and work experience it was established that all employees require counseling services. Further results showed that personal issues and challenges ranked highest among others. Most employees were also concerned about remuneration and general welfare. In general, all types of counseling needs were found to be a requirement by all employees. From the findings of the study it was concluded that there is a great or urgent need for the employees to receive professional counseling services. Further research should aim at establishing how best counseling programs can be offered to employees at workplace. It is hoped that these findings will generate information that aims to create understanding of counseling needs of employees to assist employers, HR managers and counselors to improve on employee wellbeing hence improve performance at workplace.