Employee Counseling And the EAP For Supervisors. Business Legal Reports, Inc. 0706 Session Objectives You will be able to: Recognize the purpose,

Employee Counseling And the EAP

For Supervisors

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© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0706

Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:•Recognize the purpose, function, and

benefits of an EAP•Understand how you can contribute to

the success of the EAP•Identify employees with problems•Counsel and refer employees to the EAP

as appropriate


What You Need to Know•EAP services•How an EAP operates•Your role in the process•How to identify employees with problems•How to counsel employees effectively•How to make EAP referrals and follow up


What Is an EAP?•Investment in people•Employer-sponsored program•Employee benefit


What Is the Purpose of an EAP?•Problem identification•Needs assessment•Referral services•Follow-up services•Education


Why Do We Have an EAP?•Maintain productivity•Improve employee

performance•Reduce turnover•Promote wellness


Why Do We Have an EAP? (cont.)

•Help employees regain control over their lives

•Improve morale•Lower health insurance

costs•Save your valuable

time


What Services Are Offered?Help for:•Alcohol and drug abuse•Child/spouse abuse•Stress, anxiety, and

depression•Financial problems•Legal problems


What Services Are Offered? (cont.)

Help for:•Bereavement and loss•Balancing work and

family•Compulsive gambling•Wellness•Parenting


What Services Are Offered? (cont.)

Help for:•Conflict resolution•Child- and eldercare

issues•Marital problems

and divorce•Adjustment to changes

in the workplace•Career planning


How Does an EAP Operate?•Self-referral•Mandated

supervisor referral•Voluntary

supervisor referral•Confidentiality


What Is Your Role In the EAP?•Identify employees

with problems•Document performance

problems


What Is Your Role In the EAP? (cont.)

•Conduct counseling interviews

•Refer employees who need additional help to the EAP


About the EAP•Do you understand the

purpose, function, and benefits of the EAP?

•Do you understand the services provided and your role in the counseling and referral process?


How to Identify Employees With Problems: Behaviors•Poor or erratic

performance•Loss of productivity•Excessive

absenteeism•Excessive tardiness•Moodiness, anger,

apathy, or withdrawal


How to Identify Employees With Problems: Behaviors (cont.)

•Talk of suicide, revenge, violence•Abrupt changes in appearance or behavior•Increase in conflicts with co-workers•Frequent accidents


How to Identify Employees With Problems: Systems•Performance

appraisals•Absence reports•Accident reports•Discipline reports


Dealing with Troubled Employees•Realize that counseling takes time and

sincere interest in helping employees•Understand that corrective counseling is a

special type of interaction•Review records and think about your

approach•Assure privacy and build trust


Dealing with Troubled Employees (cont.)

•Ensure confidentiality•Know your limits•Recognize that

counseling could raise legal issues


Elements of an Effective Counseling Interview•Ensure privacy and allow adequate time•Specify the purpose of the meeting•Be firm and factual•Keep out of the employee’s personal life•Be prepared for an emotional reaction•Listen


Elements of an Effective Counseling Interview (cont.)

•Clarify the problem•Identify the next step•Make your expectations clear•Explain the consequences of uncorrected

behavior or unimproved performance•End the session with something positive


EAP Referrals•Become involved early•Try to promote

voluntary interest in the EAP

•But don’t hesitate to make an involuntary referral, if necessary

•Stress the confidentiality of the program


Follow-up•Arrange for a follow-up meeting•Make sure the employee stays with the

program•Encourage dropouts to return to the EAP•Follow-up on job-related issues


EAPs and Discipline•Remember the

purpose of discipline•Remain objective•Integrate the EAP

into progressive discipline

•Give the employee the benefit of the doubt


Counseling and ReferralsDo you understand:How to identify employee problems that

might require professional intervention?How to deal with troubled employees?About the elements of effective counseling

interviews?About EAP referrals, follow-up, and

integrating the EAP into the disciplinary process?


Key Points to Remember•Employees’ personal problems often affect

their work•We need to intervene and help workers with

problems get back on track•Our EAP is designed to provide that help•You play a key role in identifying problems,

counseling workers, and referring them to the EAP for assistance when necessary

Documents

Employee Counseling And the EAP For Supervisors. Business Legal Reports, Inc. 0706 Session Objectives You will be able to: Recognize the purpose,