Employee Assistance Programs USPHS

1
Employee Assistance ProgramsUSPHS

• June 2, 2009

2
Overview

• Overview of Employee Assistance Programs and
  their origination
• Explanation of EAP services for the individual,
  manager and agency
• How EAP can be a resource for USPHS Physicians

3
Origination of Employee Assistance Programs

• Programs began in 1940s as a way to address
  alcoholism in the workplace
• 1970 Federal government passed legislation, The
  Hughes Act, to address alcoholism in the nation
• Oversight and development was given to OPM
• Effects of alcoholism on a Federal agency

4
What is an Employee Assistance Program?

• EAP is a benefit to employees and managers from
  their agency that is voluntary, confidential and
  free
• Components of an EAP
• Problem identification/assessment and referral
• Short-term problem resolution, phone or in person
• Consultation with supervisors and managers
• Monitoring and Follow-Up services
• Health and Wellness Trainings
• Crisis Intervention
• Financial and Legal consultations

5
Issues the EAP can help with

• Troubled relationships
• Stress
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief
• Workplace problems
• Alcohol and other drug abuse
• Parenting concerns
• Work/Life balance
• Medical concerns

6
Consultation Services

• Supervisors and managers
• Types of referrals to the EAP
• Managing the troubled employee

7
Health and Wellness Trainings

• Effective Communication
• Work/Life Balance
• Transition in the Workplace
• Stress Management
• Dealing with Conflict
• Loneliness from loss
• Art of Parenting
• Elder Care

8
Crisis Intervention

• External concerns 9/11, Fire, Robbery
• Intimate concerns death of a co-worker

9
Legal and Financial Services

• Legal services can help with
• Living Wills
• Real Estate
• Family law, custody
• Identity Theft
• Financial services can help with
• Family budgeting
• Debt consolidation
• Savings strategies
• Buying a home

10
Why are EAPs Important?

• A study shows that when EAP services are
  provided work loss was avoided in 60 of cases
  with an average savings of 17 hours per case.
  72 of these cases showed improved work
  productivity with an average gain of 43.
• Attridge, M. (2001, August)

11
How EAP can be a resource for USPHS Physicians

• Often MD visits are related to stress
• Employees usually turn to physicians first
• Maintain role as medical and not
• mental health providers
• Can see trends in workplace and
• recommend needed trainings
• Examples when EAP was of service

12
Contact Information

• Marybeth Peters LCSW, CEAP
• Federal Occupational Health
• 75 Spring Street SW
• Atlanta, GA 30303
• 1-800-222-0364