EAP QUESTIONS
Most of my co-workers don't have a clue about EAP!
eap questions
Hello, Yancey here, your fellow employee occupying space in the workplace. Eap questions and answers are about helping the workforce understand what EAP means and what services may be needed. Here are some answers to your employee assistance program questions!
What does eap stand for?
Why is my company offering an EAP?
What types of issues will an EAP help me with?
Will my boss know of my request for information about the EAP?
Can I be retaliated against for using the EAP?
Is the EAP confidential?
What does the EAP cost?
How do I the employee benefit from the EAP?
How do I contact the EAP?
Is using the EAP mandatory?
How many businesses use the EAP?
What can I expect from the counseling?
Are the EAP sessions on company time?
Do I tell my manager about work time meetings?
Will going to the EAP help me keep my job?
Who are the EAP counselors?
Do EAPs actually help me the employee?
DO I have to sign a release showing I'm using the EAP?
What if supervisors and managers wanted to use the EAP?
How would a problem worker be identified?
Why not terminate the troubled worker?
What does EAP stand for?
Eap or employee assistance program is a service provided to employees. Professional counselors who assist workers in dealing with issues that can adversely affect job performance and personal health staff it. EAPs may use welness and prevention measures to control specific conditions. Some companies use EAps to focus on the psychological aspects of disabiling injuries or illnesses.
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eap questions
Why is my company offering an EAP?
The employer cares about your state of being and recognizes that personal problems can affect health, well-being and employment.
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What types of issues will an EAP help me with?
Employee Assistance Programs generally handle a variety of issues including:
- drug or substance abuse
- legal or financial problems
- marital issues
- dealing with natural disasters
- difficulties handling child and elderly care
- job related problems
- bereavement and grief
- mild depression and anxiety
- emotional and physical trauma
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eap questions
Will my boss know of my request for information about the EAP?
Requests to the EAP can be made discretely by the employees. Normally there is no reporting to an employee's manager of inquiries. On the other hand, when an employee reveals a condition, that may put the employee or others in danger and negatively impact his/her job performance, a supervisor may be notified of your participation in the program. Examples that necessitate such disclosure include certain mental illnesses, alcohol and/or substance abuse. The employer as a result of unacceptable work or personal behavior may refer an employee to an EAP. Also as discussed above the employee after requesting information can refer his or her self to the program.
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Can I be retaliated against for using the EAP?
No, but failure to comply with the successful completion of treatment as a condition of ongoing employment may result in adverse action, up to and including getting fired!
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eap questions
Is the EAP confidential?
An employee assistance program is mandated by law to maintain confidentiality. Any information about the employees EAP contact is strictly confidential. If the worker has been referred by management he or she may be asked sign a release giving management a record of the EAP sessions attended. There are exceptions to confidentiality that normally involve issues like child abuse, elder abuse, homicidal or suicidal tendencies,etc.
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What does EAP cost?
There is no cost to you or a member of your family for the direct counseling you receive from the EAP. The employer provides the service as a benefit to the employee. Companies understand that a healthy workforce makes good business sense if nothing else. If you are referred to a treatment resource beyond the EAP, there are normally costs. Your insurance plan may pay some of the expense. Make sure you understand up front about any costs.
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eap questions
How do I the employee benefit from the EAP?
When an employee assistance program operates as intended
the workforce enjoys:
- a better quality of life
- improved job performance
- a feeling of achievement
- contentment from meeting a problem head on and overcoming it
Oh..yes, the employer also reaps the reward of a more efficient workforce.
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How do I contact the EAP?
Employers typically provide information to the employees about their EAP by company memo, office common area posts or email. The employee can then contact the Eap directly. There is usually a 1-800 number and address available. Some employee assistance programs have 24 hour hot lines for crisis and other emergencies.
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eap questions
Is using the EAP mandatory?
The EAP is a voluntary service. But your supervisor can strongly
Suggest you participate if he or she feels it’s appropriate. Nevertheless,The final decision is always yours.
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How many businesses use the EAP?
Larger companies offer some form of employee assistance program. Smaller businesses are beginning to understand that utilizing the program helps improve the quality of the workforce as well as the quality of work.
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What can I expect from the counseling?
Temporary and immediate counseling services are offered by the EAP to assist you in getting to the bottom of the problem(s). It’s a hands on approach designed to figure out the best course of action in bringing about resolution for the employee.
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eap questions
Are the EAP sessions on company time?
If an employee has been referred by his/her supervisor as a result of job performance issues, usually the employee is allowed to attend EAP meetings on company time. If you self refer to an EAP its normally on your time. EAPs offer morning, afternoon and evening sessions. They normally last about an hour and employees may be able to use their vacation, sick or personal leave.
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Do I tell my manager about work time meetings?
You may tell your supervisor that you have a medical appointment or personal business to attend to. Of course if your boss referred you it may be in your best interest to let them know. The company may then allow the sessions on company time. Ultimately whether to inform your manager is up to you.
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Will going to the EAP help me keep my job?
An EAP referral on the part of the employer shouldn’t be used as punishment or discipline of the employee. It can be used along with other measures to rate poor job performance. The design of EAP should always be to help the employee regain an acceptable level of work. If the EAP proves beneficial in improving the employee’s job performance that’s great. But whether your employer takes disciplinary action depends on you improving in your job.
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eap questions
Who are the EAP counselors?
EAP counselors are people experienced, trained and educated in assisting employees and their qualified family members work out job or personal issues. Counselors also provide referrals to other institutions in the community as needed. EAP counselors have various degrees such as Masters in Social Work and Psychology. Many are Certified Employee Assistance professionals (CEAP), which is recognized by employers, human resources professionals, accrediting agencies, and employees as the standard in employee assistance. Critical Incident Stress Management(CISM) professionals assist victims of trauma such as...
- natural disasters
- terror attacks
- military personnel
- emergency service providers
- crime victims
...and suicide, work through the period immediately following the event. Many of these professionals are trained and certified by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association(EAPA).
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eap questions
Do EAPs actually help me the employee?
Intermittent studies show the overwhelming majority of the thousands of employees who receive assistance from their companies EAPs are aided in conquering their personal and workplace problems. Please remember, your EAP can help you to sort out and address a wide variety of problems, but only if you, the employee, use it.
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Do I have to sign a release showing I'm using the EAP?
No, you do not. Nevertheless, there may be situations where the employee would be better off signing a information release.
Some examples would be, when an employee needs an accommodation for a particular emotional or physical disability. A worker may be facing a disciplinary issue and wants to take advantage every available resource to maintain position or employment. By revealing the EAP involvement, the employee’s supervisor may view it as sign that the employee is sincere about improving his/her job performance.
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What if supervisors and managers wanted to use the EAP?
All confidentiality applies regardless if you are a manager or employee.
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eap questions
How would a problem worker be identified?
- referred by co-workers or family
- self referral
- medical or human resource referral
- previous employer based on unacceptable job performance
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Why not terminate the troubled worker?
Research reveals that about 80% of employees that have workplace issues are between 30 and 55 years old with up to 12 years of experience. Costs to replace employees average around $7000 and differs from one company to another.
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My fellow employees here’s a word of caution: Caveat emptor, which means buyer beware.
Employers that don't have their own in house EAP contract these services outside. Remember that outside EAP provider is being paid by your company. It is vital that you understand everything about how the EAP process works. Check back to this page frequently for updates. As the what does eap stand for questions and answers site grows, my goal is to include more answers to yours and my EAP questions. I would love your questions and suggestions on improving this site.
eap questions
Eap questions is dedicated to the welfare of all of us employees who are sincere and honorable in our workplace experience.
Check back to this page frequently for updates. As the Eap questions site grows, my goal is to include more answers to yours and my EAP questions. I would love your comments and suggestions on improving this site. Please
contact me.
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