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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Employee Guide to the EAP

What is the EAP?

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential assessment, brief counseling, and referral service available to all employees and their family members. It is designed to assist in the identification and resolution of any personal problem that may be affecting you, your family or your job.

Why use the EAP?

We all have problems from time to time, and usually we can cope with them on our own. Sometimes, however, we need outside help. Such help may be needed to avoid job performance problems, resolve conflicts at home or establish a useful strategy for other problem resolution. The EAP is a benefit provided by your employer and staffed by professionals who are experienced in providing tools to assist individuals with solving personal problems. Their job is to assist you in identifying and resolving your concerns through a supportive process.

Should a referral be necessary, the EAP staff will assist you in planning and obtaining the referral resource suitable to your needs. The program is confidential, convenient and easy to access. A routine appointment will be provided in 24 to 48 hours. When necessary and possible, a same-day appointment will be offered.

How do you use the EAP?

An employee or family member may contact the EAP by telephone. You are encouraged to contact the EAP as early as possible in the development of a personal problem. The majority of clients seek our services on their own; this is a self-referral. Your supervisor may suggest you seek help if declining job performance is noticed. Your union steward or other union represent can advise you to use the EAP. Your physicians or other health care provider may suggest the EAP to you. In any case, the program is always voluntary, private and confidential.

Information is never released without your written permission and is not included in your personnel or medical records.

Participation in the EAP will not jeopardize your present job or future opportunities.

Who may use the EAP?

Any employee or immediate family member may use the EAP. It makes no different how long you have been employed or what job you have. If you have a personal problem that could affect your work, health or personal life, call the EAP.

What kinds of problems do we see?

A variety of problems can have a negative effect on personal well-being and job performance. Thus, any problem can be brought to the EAP. It could be simple or complex. Here are some broad categories:

  • Marital/family disagreements
  • Stress or emotional problems
  • Drug/alcohol abuse or dependency
  • Financial and legal difficulties
  • Occupational dissatisfaction
  • Health management

Other problems the EAP can help with involve legal matters, child care, elder care, career issues, physical abuse, eating disorders, bereavement and other losses, etc.

What is the cost of EAP?

There is no cost to you or your family member for the EAP service. If you are referred to outside resources or services, the cost may be offset by your insurance.

How does the EAP work?

To make a confidential appointment, simply call 860-679-2877 or (Connecticut toll-free) 800-852-4392. We encourage you to call between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If office hours are inconvenient, leave a voice message or send an email at any time about when and how to reach you. We will respond to your message as soon as possible.

The EAP is located at 195 Farmington Avenue, Suite 2000 in Farmington, Connecticut. Other convenient affiliate locations are located throughout the state. Day and evening appointments are available, as well as during lunch or before or after a shift. You will decide what you want to do and what source of assistance, if any, you will use.

The EAP is Confidential

The EAP is completely voluntary, private and confidential. Information is never released without your written permission or as deemed necessary by law. The EAP records are kept separate. They are informal and not a part of your medical or personnel file. In the case of formal supervisory referrals, the only information given to your supervisor is whether you have come to the EAP appointment and if you are compliant with EAP recommendations. Neither the nature of the recommendation nor the content of your sessions with the EAP counselor will be shared.