Employee Assistance Program Usually the Best Choice When an Employee Speaks Up
Posted Wednesday, December 22, 2021 by Dan Feerst
It is not unusual for
employees to recommend resources to each other for dealing with problems, but
the EAP is more often the best choice. So, if you are a supervisor consider speaking up if you are among a group of workers.
EAPs don’t do marital
counseling or provide other treatment/therapy services, but they do start with an
assessment that is free and unbiased.
The goal of this assessment is to
determine precisely the nature of the problem the employee is experiencing.
Imagine the broad spectrum of issues that might exist in any situation where an employee says, "My husband and I are having communication problems. Does anyone have a good marriage counselor they can recommend? This is not unusual lunchroom-speak once employees know each other well.
So, consider, is this simply about communication problems or something more? Financial
problems, drug and alcohol issues or other addictions, sexual issues,
depression, or even an extramarital affair might be characterized in a group
setting as “communication problems.”
Indeed, most therapists discover deeper
and more maladaptive concerns within a couple once therapy begins. Go ahead and
recommend the EAP, even now. It is possible that she did not follow through
with her friend’s recommendation. Share with her the nature of what a free and
professional assessment can accomplish.