Employee Assistance Program What is the Employee Assistance Program? The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a service to assist the troubled employee in overcoming persistent personal problems that impair job performance. Why would an EAP program be important for my organization? EAP benefits employers by protecting an organization's investment in human resources. It can help reduce productivity losses, absenteeism, lateness, accidents, and poor morale. It offers a new management tool to deal with valued employees and to save jobs, talent, and money. EAP benefits employees by providing swift, confidential, and professional assistance with personal problems that presently or may in the future impair one's job performance. How many people in my organization may need this kind of help? Five to ten percent of the work force is a conservative estimate of the employees, in any given workplace, suffering from personal problems that severely effect their work. Alcoholism, drug abuse, marital, family, emotional, financial, and legal problems are examples of the kind of difficulties that can result in lowered effectiveness on the job. What does an EAP program consist of? An EAP established within an organization usually consists of a variety of elements. A Written Policy and set of procedures are formulated for assisting employees with personal problems. Training is provided to supervisory personnel. Emphasis in the training is on observation and documentation of deteriorating work performance, confrontation of the employee, and means of referring the employee to EAP. Screening of the referred employee is performed by a professional screener who will make arrangements for the employee to receive treatment from the appropriate resources. Consultation is provided to managers and supervisors on an as-needed basis. It is important to note that supervisors do not diagnose an employee's problem, but rather refer employees based on job performance concerns only. A well run EAP will create its own credibility. Once employees view the program as a source of help, they will begin to make self referrals. This is ideal, since it enables employees to get assistance before their work becomes a serious problem. What is the cost? Training of supervisors is a one time cost. Time needed for training is approximately three to six hours. Screening cost is based on the number of employees within an organization. The service covers the availability of a professional screener, who will make contact with an employee within 24 hours of a referral. Screening costs also cover referral work of the screener and follow-up to the supervisor. Consultation services are dictated by the needs of the organization and are provided on an as needed basis. Where are these services provided? Training and Consultation can be provided on site at your organization. Screening is usually provided at the offices of the Counseling Service of Addison County. Further Information: For further information about the Employee Assistance Program or other programs offered to organizations by the Counseling Service (such as seminars in stress management, communication skills, and mediation services), please contact: Yvonne Johns, EAP Coordinator Counseling Service of Addison County 89 Main Street Middlebury, VT. 05753 Developmental Services 61 Court Street, Middlebury, Phone: 802-388-4021 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services 89 Main Street, Middlebury, phone: 802-388-6751 25 Mountain View Street, Bristol, phone: 802-453-3009 20 Armory Lane, Vergennes, phone: 802-877-3715 Emergency Services, Middlebury, Phone: 802-388-7641 24 hours a day

Page Updated:  Monday April 14, 2008