How to Make Suggested Referrals to Employee Assistance Program

A suggested referral to the Employee Assistance Program is as simple as it sounds. It is just a conversation with the employee, letting the individual know that the manager/supervisor is concerned about him or her and reminding the employee about how the EAP may be able to help.

Supervisors are best positioned to suggest voluntary use of the Employee Assistance Program because they have:

• Awareness. Often the supervisor is the first to know when something of a personal nature is affecting an employee. Supervisors know the employee’s leave records, work habits, job conduct, appearance and potentially about the individual’s personal situation.
• Influence. Supervisors are well-positioned to encourage employees to do something about a problem. A person who may not listen to family and friends frequently makes changes when the workplace intervenes.

Tips for a Successful Referral

1. Emphasize confidentiality: The supervisor should make sure that the employee knows that no one at the workplace is informed about the individual’s use of the Employee Assistance Program. The supervisor is simply reminding the employee that this resource is available.
2. Continue to observe and document signs of improvement or deterioration of the employee’s performance whether or not the employee decides to use the EAP.
3. Follow up with the employee if the problematic behavior or performance continues. This is a good time to consider whether formal performance or disciplinary steps should be taken.

Voluntary (self-referral) use of the EAP is important to a successful program because it allows the employee to address personal problems and prevent them from becoming bigger issues that affect the workplace.

Through the EAP, MCIT member employees, officials and their dependents are provided with six counseling sessions per identified issue at no cost. Counselors are conveniently available across the state for in person, telephone and video sessions.

Unlimited Supervisor Consultation Available

The Employee Assistance Program provides unlimited telephone consultation for supervisors to help them navigate management challenges.

Consultation conversations aim to find the best ways to respond to employees and handle difficult workplace situations. The supervisor consultation sessions are confidential in accordance with state and federal laws.

Common areas that supervisor consultation address are:

• Employee behavior and job performance concerns
• Strategies to recommend the EAP to employees
• Team dynamics, including interpersonal conflicts
• Critical incident or grief-related concerns in the workplace
• Dealing with change and transition within work teams

Department heads, managers and supervisors can connect with a qualified professional counselor for consultation for management-related issues any time at 800.550.6248. Supervisors can call as often as they need for support.

Portions of this article copyright 2022 AllOne Health. Reprinted with permission.