Employee Assistance Program (EAP PLUS)

In today’s high-pressure, fast-paced world, problems are inevitable. And when personal problems become severe, they tend to surface in the workplace taking the form of absenteeism, accidents, poor workmanship, tardiness, apathy, hostility and low morale. How can companies identify employees troubled by personal problems, intervene without being intrusive and put workers and their households in touch with appropriate, confidential help and support? Businesses nationwide are responding to those difficult challenges by investing in an Employee Assistance Program. We provide our EAP Plus services to organizations at a very low cost. Employees and all of their household members have access to all services.

EAP Plus Services Include:

• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Short-term crisis intervention/problem solution counseling
• Assessment and referral
• Supervisor consultation
• Job performance program (formal referral)
• Substance abuse professional program (SAP)
• Critical incident stress management (on-site)
• Legal and financial guidance
• Multiple online resources
• Onsite training options
• EAP education & employee promotion

Why provide an EAP? 

The EAP Plus offers counseling, guidance and tools for emotional, financial, legal and other issues at no cost to the employee. Helping employees and their household members ensures that these issues don’t spill over into the workplace and harm productivity or morale. 

Why should employers use the EAP? 

The EAP is a referral resource when an employee expresses concerns over or suffers performance problems due to a personal issue. As an employer, it is not your job to be a professional counselor or best friend. The EAP can handle that for you. 

Is this service confidential? 

Yes, EAP Plus is strictly confidential. No information about specific participation in the program is provided to the employer. Upon request, a quarterly utilization report can be provided to employers. These reports protect client confidentiality, but contain aggregate program statistics, such as numbers of individuals using the program, types of referrals, problem categories and services provided. 

Why might my family or I use the services? 

There are many reasons to use these services. You may wish to contact the EAP if you: 

• Are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of balancing work and family
• Are experiencing stress, anxiety or depression
• Are dealing with grief and loss
• Need assistance with child or elder care concerns
• Have legal or financial questions
• Have concerns about substance abuse for yourself or a household member
• Family or personal relationship issues 

What happens when I call? 

When you call, you will speak with a master’s or PhD-level counselor who will collect some general information about you and will talk with you about your needs. You can then set up an appointment to speak with a counselor over the phone, schedule a face-to-face or a telehealth visit. 

Are the services confidential? 

Yes, the EAP is strictly confidential. No specific information about your participation in the program is provided to your employer. 

Can I choose a counselor based on gender, cultural, sexual orientation, language or other? 

Yes. The EAP understands that it is important for clients to be comfortable with a counselor in order to achieve the best results from counseling. You can even connect with counselors that specialize in children and adolescents, which we acknowledge can be hard to find.

Critical Incident Stress Management 

This special onsite session is to help the organization following a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, death of an employee or violence at the workplace. This will help to reduce the possibility that employees exposed to trauma may experience long-term emotional consequences. 

EAP Education & Employee Promotion 

Promotional materials and information to acquaint employees with their company-sponsored EAP and the services available. EAP workshops may be recommended to help employees identify potential problems and develop a plan of self-care. 

EAP Plus Orientation

To implement EAP Plus in an organization, we will provide orientation programs by UM Health-Sparrow support staff. Our tailored orientations allow us to present the services of the program either in person, virtual or both. It is important that employees are educated on the benefits of a full service EAP program. 

Professional Consultation 

Occasionally, a supervisor, union representative or other staff member may need help in dealing with a troubled employee or handling a difficult situation. In such cases, the EAP is readily available for telephone consultations as well as face-to-face “coaching” sessions. In either case, they have the benefit of trained experts. 

Periodic Statistical Reports

 To help companies evaluate utilization of services, Company Utilization reports are available upon request. These reports protect client confidentiality, but contain aggregate program statistics, such as numbers of individuals using the program, types or referrals, problem categories and services provided. 

Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Services 

The US Department of Transportation mandates safety-sensitive employees who fail a drug screen must complete a SAP intervention before returning to safety-sensitive duties. That process includes evaluation, recommendations, follow-up monitoring and notice of compliance/non-compliance. Each segment of this process must be completed by a qualified SAP.

Personal setbacks, emotional conflicts or just the demands to daily life can affect your work, health and family. With help from the EAP Plus, they don’t have to. This company-sponsored benefit is available to you and your household members at no cost and gives you someone to talk to when life’s challenges threaten to overwhelm you. The program is staffed by highly trained, caring clinicians who are available by phone or online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Call any time with personal concerns, including: 

• Stress, anxiety and depression
• Marital and family conflicts
• Alcohol and drug use
• Job pressures
• Dealing with change
• Grief and loss
• And more!

Employees and their household members have access to a highly trained, caring clinician who will talk to you about your situation and connect you with an attorney. Through the EAP Plus, you are able to meet with an attorney for a 30-minute consultation at no cost. If that attorney is retained, you receive 25% off services. Our EAP Plus also provides employees and their household members with a service to create a free and customized will. 

Our attorneys can help you with: 

• Family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support and adoption
• Bankruptcy and credit issues
• Landlord/tenant issues, including eviction and lease questions
• Real estate and foreclosure questions
• Immigration concerns
• Wills and living wills

Connecting with Certified Public Accountants, Certified Financial Planners and other professionals dedicated exclusively to providing financial information to you. Because our experts are not associated with any financial institution, you are assured that they will provide impartial and objective information on your money topics.

Our financial experts can help you with: 

• Credit card and debt management
• Budgeting, retirement and estate planning
• Tax and real estate questions
• Financing for college
• Investment options
• Mortgages, loans and refinancing

The new Working Advantage employee discount and reward program is your one stop shop for all your entertainment and shopping needs. Employees and their household members enjoy exclusive, 24/7 access to the Working Advantage discount network. 

Take advantage of this expansive portfolio of offers and save up to 60% on products and services including: 

• Electronics
• Online shopping and services discounts
• Health and fitness
• Amusement parks
• Museums and city passes
• Hotels and rental cars worldwide
• Broadway shows
• Movie theaters
• Merchant gift certificates and much more!

Employees and their household members can access resources related to emotional health, family, legal, financial, wellness or other matters 24/7 through the online web portal or the mobile app. 

Go online for: 

• Articles, podcasts, videos and slideshows
• On-demand trainings, online communities and chat
• “Ask a GuidanceConsultant” personal responses to your questions
• Connect to counseling, work-life support or other services
• Access on-demand huddles for topics such as workplace issues or health topics
• Health and wellness articles/recipes
• Create a will online
• Connect to Working Advantage 

Sue Stock, OT, COHPM
Occupational Health/EAP Plus Marketing 
517.364.3591
Sue.Stock@UMHSparrow.org 

Erika Baumgartner 
Occupational Health/EAP Plus Marketing 
517.364.2574 
Erika.Baumgartner@UMHSparrow.org