UTMB / HR Employee Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use EAP?

There are two ways for employees to be referred to the EAP:

Self Referral: Any employee or immediate family member may contact the EAP to make an appointment to meet with a counselor to discuss a personal problem.

Supervisor Referral: Supervisors may refer employees to the EAP when employees need to improve their work performance or when there has been a decline in work performance. When a supervisor refers an employee to the EAP attendance is strictly voluntary. The supervisor will be informed whether the employee kept his/her initial appointment. Without written consent by the employee, not other information will be released.

Confidentiality

All visits to the EAP are handled in strict confidence. EAP records are kept separately from personnel and medical records. If referred by a supervisor, the only information received by the supervisor is whether or not the employee kept the initial appointment with an EAP counselor. Additional information will not be provided unless the employee agrees to a release of information that states what is to be told and to whom.

Supeprvisory Consultation

Supervisors may contact the EAP to discuss their options in dealing with the management of employees' unsatisfactory job performance or observed emotional distress. After the problem is identified, the EAP and the supervisor will develop a plan of action which may include a supervisory referral to the EAP. During each step of the process, the supervisor will be able to decide whether or not to follow the EAP recommendation(s). Supervisory consultation supplements, but does not replace existing procedures for dealing with deteriorating or unsatisfactory job performance. Employee work performance problems often do not go away if left unattended and they sometimes become bigger over time. Back to top

Education and Presentations

Workshops for Managers:

Supervisor's Guide to Using the EAP
Response to Drug/Alcohol in the Workplace
Motivating Employees
Critical Incident Stress Management
Workplace Violence

Workshops for Employees:

Employee's Guide to Using the EAP
Drug/Alcohol Education
Anger Management
Stress Management
Workplace Violence
Communication Skills
Time Management
Dealing with Difficult People

You may choose a workshop from our current list or request a workshop that meets your employees' unique needs. Workshops can be tailored to allow you to choose the subject, goals, dates and length of presentation(s). Back to top

What does it cost?

There is no charge to employees and their family members for assessments and referrals made by an EAP counselor. If a referral is necessary for further assistance, the employee's insurance will be considered. When services are not covered, services provided by other agencies and facilities are the responsibility of the employee and cannot be funded or subsidized by the EAP. Back to top

How does the EAP operate?

The EAP counselor will meet with the employee and or family member(s) to determine the nature of the problem. After the assessment is completed, the counselor and the individual(s) will develop a plan to resolve the problem. During each step, the individual(s) will be able to decide whether or not to follow the recommended plan of action.

When the nature of the problem has been determined and a plan has been made, a referral may be made to other community agencies and health care providers. Short term counseling is available through the EAP for problems that can be rapidly addressed. Back to top

Additional Resources

AA Phoenix & Friday Noon Women's Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship 502 Church Street 762-3864 Phoenix 763-1706 Women's Meeting		AA Lambda Group Gay friendly, all welcome 1409 39th St (ACCT Bldg.) 741-9765

AA 33rd St. Group, New Day Group, New Leaf Group 1823 33rd St (@ Ave P) 763-9276		AA Spanish Grupo Puente de Libertad 3402 Broadway 762-8231

AA West Isle Group & AA Zion Women's Group Zion Lutheran Church 6910 Yucca 744-2369		AA Lost & Found Rebecca Sealy Hospital 404 8th St. Garage Entrance, 2nd floor Skywalk area 765-1737

Health Professional (only) Monday 11th & Mechanic (UTMB SAHS/SON Rm. 1.406)		AA/Alan Jamaica Beach West Isle Presbyterian Church 13724 Stewart Rd.

NA Galveston Island Group (GIGNA) 3609 Ave S1/2 Bldg. in Rear		NA The Ties that Bind US Rebecca Sealy Hospital 404 8th Street, Garage Entrance Rm. 3.302 765-1737

Christian 12 Step Mixed Recovery Support Group West Point Baptist Church 3009 Ave M 762-5642		Health Professional (only) Wednesday 2216 Ball (Ave. H) 765-6317 (Trinity Episcopal Church, side entrance)

CA Change of Life Group Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 7pm 3727 Ave H (corner of 38th and H)		NA ODB (Our Daily Bread) 2420 Winnie 765-6972