No matter how long someone has been a supervisor, an employee or the staff may be facing circumstances that leave the supervisor at a loss for what to say or do. Maybe:

• The supervisor must deliver an unfavorable performance review.
• The department is facing significant changes or has experienced a critical incident.
• A co-worker has a child who was killed in a vehicle collision.
• The supervisor has a subordinate with whom it is difficult for others to work.
• Human resources professionals are stymied by how to handle a conflict among co-workers.

These and other situations require careful responses. From big incidents, such as layoffs, to small issues, such as chronic bad breath, when a supervisor struggles to find the best words and strategies to address the circumstance, he or she can reach out to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential, convenient, no-cost assistance.

Unlimited, Confidential Consultation

The EAP is available to any department head or supervisor at no cost for consultation over the phone regarding a workplace issue. EAP consultants can provide supervisors with a different perspective and new ideas about how to handle situations. It is rare that someone calls with a problem that the consultants have not already worked through with someone else.

The consultants maintain the confidentiality of anyone using the program in accordance with state and federal law, so supervisors are assured that their conversations remain private.

3 Common Areas of Concern

The EAP consultants typically assist member supervisors with three types of situations, but they can help with any supervisory related situation.

• Change and transition within work teams: This may be due to departmental adjustments or broader employer reorganization. The consultation focuses on working with supervisors as they attempt to manage the process as effectively as possible and to help their teams cope with the changes.
• An individual’s problematic behavior or job performance: The consultants help supervisors sort out ways to handle subordinates’ anger, sarcasm, judgmental approach to co-workers, etc.
• Critical incident or grief-related occurrences in the work setting: The consultants assist management in acknowledging and normalizing their own grief reactions to the situation, as well as help them sort through their anxiety about how to address the perceived needs of their subordinates. Consultants help the manager monitor the situation for signs of impairment or impact during a 24- to 72-hour period to assess the needs of the team.

Experienced Professionals

AllOne Health (formerly known as Sand Creek) provides the professional counseling and consultation services to MCIT member employees for the Employee Assistance Program. It is a behavioral health care company that has decades of experience partnering with Minnesota county governments.

• The consultants understand the unique circumstances of public employers and are prepared to help supervisors within that context. To reach the EAP’s consultation or counseling services, members should call AllOne Health toll-free at 1.800.550.6248.
• To learn more about the Employee Assistance Program in general, members can visit the Employee Assistance Program page or call MCIT toll-free at 1.866.547.6516.