The Employee Advisory Service EAS How can we help you?

Your Employee Advisory Service Support program for State supervisors, employees and members of their families Confidential consultations for supervisors and counseling & referrals for employees/families 24 hour, 7 days a week Emergency Mental Health Services

Services We Provide Assessment, Information, Referral and Follow-up Short-term Counseling Coordinate with State Health Benefits/Resource Providers Fitness For Duty Evaluation Consultations/Referrals Substance Abuse Professional Services for Commercial Driver License/Random Drug Positive Test Grief Counseling and Critical Incident Debriefings Emergency Mental Health Services Work Performance Interventions Supervisory Consultations for Dealing with Employee Issues Online Mental Health Screenings

Free Mental Health Screenings EAS provides free online confidential, anonymous, self-assessment tools to help employees and family members identify mental health conditions such as depression, alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, eating disorders and adolescent depression. For more information about the screenings, please visit the EAS web page: http://www.state.nj.us/csc/employees/programs/advisory/eas.html or go use the following link: http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/NJEAS

Confidentiality Confidentiality is a priority EAS confirms the employees’ attendance; will not discuss confidential content of appointments Governed by State and Federal confidentiality laws, rules and procedures Duty to warn when there is the threat of serious physical violence against a readily identifiable individual or against oneself

Common Issues Where EAS Can Help Emotional Distress or Chronic Negativity Unusually High Stress Levels Unacceptable Behavior Significantly Declining Performance Substance Abuse (positive random, suspicion, confession) Listed are common work issues requiring intervention. When dealing with an employee with advance decline in work performance which may be at the stage of disciplinary action or last chance agreement the following steps are recommended. Document findings Develop a strategy to assist employee Inform employee and supervision of strategy Have employee sign a contract Refer formally to EAS Follow-up with EAS to see if employee is adhering. You may also request written documentation on a monthly basis stating this. Behavior issues such as outburst and harassing should use the following steps Isolate the situation Develop a strategy to present to supervisor and employee Inform all parties Have employee sign contract May consider fitness for duty (additional Cost) Substance abuse is another common issue requiring intervention. The following procedure is recommended Possible reasonable suspicion testing After completion of recommendation of EAP hold a return to work meeting reiterating company policy and procedures on drugs in the workplace Impairment would follow a similar format Isolate the issue You may need to access resource such as state police, ambulance, emt, etc Once employee is stabilized Inform employee and supervision of strategy May consider a psychiatric evaluation Once cleared by psychiatrist have a return to work meeting reiterating company policy Violence in the workplace is not prohibit and is a requirement for immediate intervention. The following procedures are recommended Obtain assistance from state police, security, etc Access resources – policies and procedures, EAS, etc Consider possible fitness for duty Hold a return to work and follow-up meeting with client and reiterate company policies regarding violence if termination did not take place.

Signs of a Troubled Employee Physical Signs Absenteeism “On-the-Job” Absenteeism High Accident Rate Difficulty in Concentration Confusion Reporting to Work Impaired Generally Lowered Job Efficiency Poor Employee Relationships with Co-workers Mood Changes Unusual Behaviors

Work Performance Issues Low morale and motivation Errors in judgment Poor Communication Staff conflicts Fearfulness Late for work/meetings Negativity Detached Absenteeism/Presenteeism Withdrawal

Making an Informal Referral Ask the employee if they know about EAS as a resource Provide EAS contact info (1-866-327-9133), assuring the employee of confidentiality Contact EAS Counselor for consultation if necessary The agency recommends that a supervisor contact their ERC before initiating the formal referral process to ensure that every step of the referral process is in agreement with your agency’s policies and procedures. Supervisors are also encouraged to contact CBP EAP prior to the actual meeting with the employee.

Making a Formal Referral Document noting significant job performance issues Meet with employee to discuss reason for referral Schedule appointment 1-866-327-9133 Contact EAS Counselor for consultation if necessary Follow-up and Monitor The agency recommends that a supervisor contact their ERC before initiating the formal referral process to ensure that every step of the referral process is in agreement with your agency’s policies and procedures. Supervisors are also encouraged to contact CBP EAP prior to the actual meeting with the employee.

Contact EAS 24 hours a day 7days a week (Emergency Mental Health Services) Toll free number 1-866-327-9133 Email EAS_Help@csc.nj.gov