1. An Employee Assistance Program (“EAP”) is hereby established and will be operated as described in this policy.
2. The purpose of the EAP is to offer resources and services to employees in order to assist an employee with personal or professional problems or issues of concern.
3. The reason for establishing this EAP is that our employees are valued members of this Company. Our current and future success depends on the good health of our employees.
We believe that this EAP will contribute to the health of our employees and will prove to be a wise investment in the most valuable resource of our Company.
4. Use of the EAP by any employee will not be a basis or reason for discipline or termination of the employee.
5. The following information is privileged and confidential. It will not be disclosed to any person except upon the written authorization of the employee or pursuant to law:
a. Whether any person has used or inquired about the EAP;
b. the identity of any person who uses or inquires about the EAP;
c. the type and extent of services sought and received by any person through the EAP, as well as the reason’s for such services;
d. whether a particular therapist, counselor or other health care provider has been consulted or has given professional services to any person through the EAP;
e. whether a particular hospital, treatment facility, clinic, office or other facility has provided any type of care or service to any person through the EAP;
f. any information about the prescription and use of any medication for any person through the EAP;
g. any information about the current or past use of alcohol, drugs or other controlled or intoxicating substances by any person;
h. any information about any addiction, or about any physical, mental or emotional health concern, problem, treatment or other such issue,
or about any personal or family worry, concern or problem, or about any professional or job related issue, or about any other topic of concern
to any person which is divulged, discussed, indicated or otherwise raised through the EAP;
i. the source of payment for any services provided through the EAP;
j. any records in the possession of employer which could indicate the identity of any person who has used the EAP for any reason; and
k. any other information which could indicate the identity of any person who has used the EAP for any reason.
6. A current list shall be maintained that includes local health care providers, specialty and rehabilitation hospitals, support groups, alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous meeting sites, parenting classes, career counselors, grief counselors, anger management counselors and such other services offered locally as may be requested by employees. This list will include a brief description of the type of service available through each source and the relevant contact information.
7. Specific individuals will be designated throughout the Company who will be specially trained and informed in order to explain the EAP and how to access the EAP, as well as how to meet with any persons to discuss any issue. These persons are referred to as “EAP Advisors.” EAP Advisors may be approached by any person at any time. EAP advisors will also be trained in how to approach any person as necessary in order to offer assistance through the EAP. All contact and communication with an EAP Advisor is privileged and confidential. Meetings and communications with EAP advisors may be at any time convenient to those involved and may consist of anything within the stated purpose of the EAP as described in this policy.
8. EAP Advisors may make referrals to professional counselors, therapists, psychologists, clinics, treatment facilities, hospitals and to other health care providers as they deem necessary, but no EAP Advisor will be paid or will accept any fee or benefit for making any referral.
9. No person will be charged a fee for using or requesting a copy of any list maintained pursuant to this policy.
10. No person will be charged a fee for any referral, communication, meeting or consultation given by an EAP Advisor.
11. Any professional service provider used by any person through the EAP will set their own fees for the services they provide. Professional service providers are solely responsible for collecting those fees. Professional service providers will not pay any fee to this Company for participating in the EAP or for receiving referrals from an EAP Advisor or from any other person through the EAP.
12. Each employee is responsible for the payment of any fees they are charged for services received by any professional service provider through the EAP. Some services may be covered by an employee’s health insurance plan or through other employment benefits available to the employee; however, the Company will not be responsible for payment of any fee incurred by any employee for any service received through the EAP unless payment of such a fee is part of an applicable insurance or other benefit plan.
13. Persons who are eligible to use the EAP are:
a. Current employees
b. Current spouses of employee’s
c. Dependent children of employee’s (including natural, adopted and step-children) who are under age 21; and
d. Any minor child or adult for whom the employee has been appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction as the legal guardian of said minor child or adult.
14. In the event the Company decides to provide an employee assistance program through a professional employee assistance plan provided, these policies will be changed as necessary to allow adoption of and participation In the most effective and beneficial program available, as determined by the Company.
