Employee's Guide to the Employee Assistance Program
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 to establish a useful strategy for other problem resolution. The Employee Assistance Program is a benefit provided by your employer and staffed by professionals who are experienced in solving personal problems. Their job is to assist you in identifying and resolving your concerns through a support 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.
What Kinds of Problems Do We See?
A variety of problems can have a nega-tive effect on personal well-being and job per-formance. 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
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- Financial and legal difficulties
- Occupational dissatisfaction
- Health management
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| Other problems the EAP can help with involve legal matters, child care, elder care, career, physical abuse, eating disorders, bereavement and other losses, etc.
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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 shop steward or other union representative can advise you to use the EAP. Your physician 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 Employee Assistance Program will not jeopardize an employee's present job or future opportunities.
Who May Use the EAP?
Any employee or immediate family member may use the EAP. It makes no difference 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 Is the Cost of the EAP?
There is no cost to you or your family member for EAP service. If you are referred to an outside resource or service, 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 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The EAP is located in the Kevin V. Dowling M.D. Medical Office Building North at the UConn Health Center 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.
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 the supervisor is whether you have come to the EAP appointment and 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.
Directions
The Employee Assistance Program is located in the Dowling North Building of the UConn Health Center on the third floor.
- From Points East and West of Farmington, take I-84 to Exit 39. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Route 4 east (Farmington Ave.) Stay in left lane for 0.6 miles through two sets of lights. At the third light, turn right into the Health Center's main campus. Pass pond on the left. At first light go right. At first stop sign go right again. Dowling Building North will be directly in front of you on the left. EAP offices are located on the top floor.
- From Points South of Farmington, take Route 9 north to Exit 32 at its intersection with I-84 west. This left-handed exit places you directly onto Exit 39 of I-84 westbound. Proceed as above, turning right at the first traffic light onto Route 4 East, etc.
Click here for detailed driving directions and maps.
Contact Information
Elizabeth Robinson, LMFT, CEAP
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
University of Connecticut Health Center
263 Farmington Avenue, MC 6210
Farmington, CT 06030-6210
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