Employees Assistance Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Q, What is the
Employee Assistance Program
(EAP)?
A. Your
EAP is a short-term
counseling and educational
service available to
employees and their
families at no cost. The
cost for services is paid by
the employees' member
company. Assistance is provided to help with everyday concerns such as, job performance, balancing work/life, stress reduction, elder care and other care giving, loss of a loved one, marital or relationship difficulties and addiction concerns.
Management training is
available upon request.
Q. I have a
problem with addiction. My
performance is quite good
and I’ve received a number
of awards. I am afraid to
seek help from the EAP
because my supervisor may
find out the truth and my
career could be over. Can
this happen?
A.
No. Information
about your discussion with
the EAP is confidential and
cannot be disclosed without
the employee’s permission
(consent). Refer to
regulations (42 CFR Part 2)
that provide penalties for
unlawful release of
information.
Q. If there are
regulations that guarantee
confidentiality for
addiction, what about those
of us with other types of
problems?
A. The
same regulations apply and confidentiality
regulations apply.
Q. Can I be
forced to sign consent to
release information
regarding my involvement
with the EAP?
A. No. However,
there may be instances where
it will be in the employees
best interest to sign a
consent to release
information; for example, an
employee seeking
accommodation for certain
physical or psychological
limited disability. Another
example to encourage
disclosure is when an
employee is involved in
potential disciplinary
action and wishes to
demonstrate participation in
EAP services.
For example, the EAP may act
as a liaison between the
employee, supervisor and a
treatment facility to
demonstrate his or her
sincerity in seeking
assistance to resolve the
issue.
Q. I am an
employee and interested in
talking with our EAP
counselor. Will my
participation be kept
confidential?
A. It does not
matter if you are the head
of the agency or any other
employee, your participation
must be kept confidential.
Q. Under what
circumstances can
information about me be
disclosed without my
permission?
A. Under HIPAA
regulations and 42 CFR Part
2 your EAP can only disclose
information without your
consent if you are going to
harm yourself or others and
in situations where a Court
Order is issued.
Q. Does the EAP
supply written guidelines
that managers and
supervisors may choose to
utilize?
A. Yes. Ask
your EAP for the information
or inquire about guidelines
from your Human Resources
Department. Note that
the supervisor training
located in this website is
for general purposes only.
Our client companies work
with their EAP
representative to develop
guidelines applicable to the
services needed. For
example, companies that fall
under regulations of the
Department of Transportation
(DOT) receive specific
training and guidelines.
DOT / Substance Abuse
Professional (SAP) link.
|
