Employee Assistance Program

Most employers value the physical and emotional well being of their greatest asset – employees. For this reason your employer provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help you and your family members overcome difficulties too great to handle alone. Without help, personal problems usually have a negative effect on an employee’s personal happiness, health, family relationships and job performance.

The purpose of the EAP is to assist employees in resolving problems and, in doing so, to maintain good job performance. Many personal problems can be resolved or managed, especially when help is offered at an early stage and referral made to appropriate forms of care.

Types of Problems addressed by EAP

Employees commonly use the EAP for a variety of problems including:
• Marital or relationship problems
• Parenting concerns
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Stress
• Financial difficulties
• Emotional problems
• Domestic violence
• Work-related difficulties

How it works
Any employee or immediate family member may contact the Employee Assistance Program for services. Supervisors may refer to the EAP as a resource when unsatisfactory job performance or attendance is a problem.
During the employee’s contact with the EAP, a licensed counselor will assess the problem, offer input and guidance and determine if additional help is needed.
Participation in the program is by choice, and employees and family members are under no obligation to pursue recommendations. Employees referred primarily due to job performance problems are expected by their employers to improve job performance whether or not they use the EAP.

Confidentiality
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the EAP. Regardless of how the employee comes to be involved in the program, information shared with the counselor is held in confidence to the limits allowed by law. A supervisor who refers an employee to the EAP because of job performance difficulties is told only that the employee has been seen and is cooperating with recommendations - no personal details are discussed.
Participation in the program will not affect job security or opportunities for promotion. It is the failure to address personal problems affecting work performance that can result in job loss.

How to use the program
Employees or family members can contact the EAP office directly by calling 770-535-3161. Employees who prefer may ask their supervisor or a Human Resources representative to help them schedule an appointment. EAP is provided as a service from your employer, and you will gladly be seen without charge.