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Employee Assistance Program (County Program)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Last modified: 4/4/2012 9:28 AM
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Employee Assistance Program FAQ
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Privacy is an important concern -- that is why the EAP is confidential. However, personal problems can take a heavy toll on employees and their productivity, and contribute to an unsafe working environment. Employers need to take action when such a problem exists.
 
The EAP offers help when a personal problem affects your job
 
EAP is a Resource that is:
  • Affordable
  • Confidential
  • Based on Your Needs
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There is no charge to Santa Clara County employees or their family's for the short-term counseling provided by the EAP -- your employer believes it is that important to have healthy, happy, productive employees.

Some costs may be involved if referred to an outside resource or if follow-up counseling is needed to handle the problem. However, the help needed is often:

 
  • Provided by your health insurance.
  • Based on a Sliding Fee Scale, according to your ability to pay.
  • Free (as a community service).
Your EAP counselor will make every effort to find help that is free or otherwise affordable.
  
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The main goal of the EAP is to link a troubled Santa Clara County employee with the people in the community who can best help. For example, the EAP might provide or arrange for:
 
Problem Assessment and Referral
The employee assistance counselor helps identify and address problems by providing short-term counseling. He or she may then make a referral to the resource that can give appropriate service or care.
 
Treatment and Care
Qualified resources in the community can provide the treatment needed.
 
Crisis Intervention
The EAP assists employees by taking immediate steps to avoid dangerous or harmful situations.
 
Follow-up Counseling
The EAP counselors and referral resources work to provide a plan for continued care and recovery.
 
The EAP can link you with agencies and services such as:
  • Family Service Agencies
  • Human Services Departments (federal, state, county)
  • Marriage Counselors
  • Alcohol and Drug Counselors or Programs
  • Support Groups (such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Etc.)
  • Physicians
  • Psychologists
  • Therapists and Counselors
  • Community Mental Health Centers
  • Career Counselors
  • Private Attorneys
  • Financial Counselors and Credit Counseling Bureaus
  • Social Workers
  • Clergy
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You might start taking advantage of the EAP through:

Self-Referral
If you're troubled by a personal problem, you can call your EAP to talk it over or make an appointment.

Management Referral
Your Supervisor can recommend that you seek help for a problem through the EAP. (He or she does not have to know the specific nature of the problem.)
 
Union Referral
If you belong to a union, your shop steward or other union representative can advise you to seek help through the EAP.
 
Medical Referral
Your Employee Health department or medical doctor can also help refer you to the EAP.
 
But only YOU can decide whether or not to use the EAP -- that's the bottom line!
  
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How You Feel -- is the best indicator that a problem exists. Generally, you need help if you:
  • feel preoccupied with a problem
  • fail repeatedly in your efforts to solve it yourself
  • spend a lot of energy denying a problem -- or hoping it will go away
  • get tired or sick from it
  • experience frequent mood swings
  • feel unhappy most of the time
  • experience problems with family or friends.

Your Job Performance -- Provides other clues that you should seek help. For example you may need help if you:

  • miss deadlines
  • have frequent accidents
  • make frequent mistakes
  • withdraw from or avoid co-workers
  • need more time than usual to start and finish tasks
  • are absent often

If you find that a problem is making it hard for you to function, take advantage of the EAP.
  

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It is the Employee Assistance Program -- a program for helping Santa Clara County employees deal with problems that affect their job performance and well-being. EAPs are designed to help:
  • Identify problems that may be interfering with their ability to do their jobs and have a fulfilling personal life.
  • Resolve issues so they can feel good about themselves.
  • Improve their ability to carry out their job so they can be a happier, more productive employee.
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To help Santa Clara County employees lead a fuller and more productive life! By doing so, the EAP benefits everyone:

County Employees and their Family's -- At some time, each of us needs help coping with life's problems. The EAP can help you do just that, so you can enjoy a more satisfying life at home and on the job.

Their Employer -- Personal problems can affect productivity. By helping workers overcome these problems, management seeks to:
  • keep valuable employees--like you!
  • help you do your best work
  • maintain quality and safety in the workplace
  • minimize lost time
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​EAPs are designed to help with any problems that affect the quality of an employee's job performance. For example:
 
Substance Abuse
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs wastes dollars as well as lives. Some facts you should know:
 
  • Chemical Dependency is a Disease -- Addiction to alcohol or other drugs is an illness not a moral weakness. It is cause for concern, however, whenever substance abuse affects the safety of the workplace or a person's job performance (or other aspects of the employee's life)
  • It is Treatable -- Addiction to alcohol or other drugs can be treated. If you have a problem, the EAP is willing and able to help. Remember: admitting a problem is the first step to overcoming it.
Emotional Problems
Severe tension or depression brought on by divorce, separation, the death of a loved one or other losses can affect an employee's job effectiveness. The EAP can put you in touch with a person, agency, or treatment center that can help.
 
Financial Problems
Financial problems can take up valuable time and energy. The EAP can link you with financial counselors who can help.
 
Marriage and Family Problems
Conflict with a spouse or children can interfere with home and work life. Families often resist going outside the home for help, but skilled counselors can help you with family problems. (Your immediate family is also eligible to receive help through your EAP.)
 
Health Management Issues
Serious health problems can sap productivity. The EAP can help you find the care needed to cope with health-related issues.
 
Other Personal Issues
The EAP can direct you to sources of help for a variety of other problems as well, such as legal issues, job stress, gambling or eating disorders.
  
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​If You Refer Yourself to the EAP, no one knows but you and the EAP counselor. Any personal information you give to the EAP counselor is confidential. It will not be given to anyone else unless you agree in writing or unless it is court ordered.
 
If Your Supervisor or Union Steward Refers You, then the two of you are the only ones at work who will know.
  
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​No. The EAP is designed simply to help employees with their problems. Doing you job well is the key to a successful career, and the EAP is meant to help you do your job as effectively as possible.
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