EAP fact sheets

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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) FACT SHEETS

The Employee Assistance Program is: a professional counselling service confidential FREE for work-related or personal problems provided by external, registered psychologists with clinical experience voluntary operated through self-referral or supervisor referral.

What services are available? Individual face-to-face or telephone counselling, as requested by the staff member, available from 7:30am to 10:00pm, Monday to Friday for personal and work-related problems Group counselling 24 hour crisis service Trauma counselling Mediation Home or work visits if appropriate Consultation and advice services for managers dealing with difficult situations in the workplace. Who is eligible? Staff employed in schools, regional offices, state offices and AMES who are permanent and temporary employees. Teachers who are considered temporary are also eligible (i.e. teachers who are engaged full time for four weeks or more, or in one engagement for one to four days per week for two terms or more). Staff employed in TAFE NSW who are permanent or temporary. Temporary staff includes temporary teachers and temporary counsellors who work more than 20 hours per week and who have a minimum of 12 months continuous service; and part time casual teachers and part time casual coordinators in TAFE NSW who have an accrued sick leave entitlement under the Crown Employee (Teachers in Schools and TAFE and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award.
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What can I use the Employee Assistance Program for? The Employee Assistance Program can help with: relationship difficulties work-related problems substance abuse issues financial and gambling difficulties child and family issues personal and work trauma grief and bereavement harassment and discrimination emotional problems or any other work-related or personal problem.

How often can I use the Employee Assistance Program? You may have up to six hours of free counselling sessions in any consecutive two year calendar period. If you need additional help you may be referred to an appropriate person or organisation. What do I need to do? You may refer yourself for counselling there is no need to tell anyone or ask for approval. Telephone one of the approved service providers for the Department. o IPS Worldwide on 1300 366 789 o Davidson Trahaire Corpsych on 1300 360 364 Make an appointment for personal issues this should be outside of work hours. Say whether you want face-to-face or telephone counselling. Further information Contact regional OHS & HR Support Staff.

OHS Directorate

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EAP - MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION SERVICE

The Department recognises that workplace managers face a range of complex situations in their position as leaders and managers. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides advice and support to assist workplace managers to effectively manage difficult situations in the workplace. The management consultation service is: confidential provided by external, registered psychologists with clinical experience (including specialists experienced in managerial issues upon referral) a professional counselling service free for work-related or personal problems a support service providing assistance to workplace managers operated through self-referral or supervisor referral. What assistance is available? The EAP assists workplace managers by providing: a 24 hour toll free telephone crisis service individual face-to-face or telephone counselling, as requested by the staff member, available from 7:30am to 10:00pm, Monday to Friday for personal and work-related problems trauma counselling in relation to incidents affecting Departmental staff within 24 hours of contact with the provider face-to-face or telephone consultation with workplace managers to deal with difficult situations in the workplace available from 7:30am to 10:00pm, Monday to Friday group counselling home or work visits if appropriate. What can this service be used for? The service can be used for dealing with the specific workplace management issues including: work-related and personal problems
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interpersonal conflicts harassment and discrimination, including management of harassment and discrimination issues personal and work trauma relationship difficulties substance abuse issues financial and gambling problems child and family issues grief and bereavement emotional problems any other work-related, managerial or personal issues. How often can I use the EAP? In addition to the six hours of general counselling, workplace managers also have up to three hours of management consultation to deal with difficult situations in the workplace in any consecutive two year calendar period. Trauma counselling EAP providers are also contracted to provide counselling for staff members on an immediate basis following an incident that has a traumatic affect on staff or students. Depending on the need following the incident, counselling may be provided to individual staff or groups of staff. Group counselling is provided on a per hour basis and has no impact on the individuals session allocation of six hours. Following an incident, the workplace manager can contact the EAP provider directly to arrange counselling. Further information Regional OHS and HR Support Staff

OHS Directorate

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