ROLE CONFLICT AND EAP

EAP definition
EAPs are job based programs operating within an organization for the purpose of identifying troubled employees, motivating them to resolve their troubles and providing access to counselling or treatment for those employees who need such services.

TRADITIONAL VS. CONTEMPORY EAP

Traditional programs Contemporary programs Emphasis on alcoholism as the basis of the problem Broad-brush approach: any issue appropriate for service

Emphasis on supervisory referrals

Combination of supervisory referral, selfreferral, and referral by others

Problems identified at late stage in development Services offered at earlier stage in problem development Services offered by medical or alcoholism specialist Services offered by generalist counsellors with expertise in chemical dependency and other areas

Focus on troubled employees with job performance problems

Confidentiality for referred employees

Focus both on employees with work problems and on employees/family members with no performance problems
Confidentiality for referred employees; anonymity for self-referred employees or family members

Six stages
The steps and guidance for setting up counselling service in workplace are: Preparation for counselling Assessing workplace counselling Contracting for workplace counselling Introducing counselling into organizations Terminating the relationship between organization and provider Evaluating workplace counselling

1. Preparation for counselling

It is essential that both an organization and a counselling provider have a number of facilities organized in advance.

2. Assessment
Assessing workplace counselling Assessing the organization Assessing the counselling provision

3. Contracting for workplace counselling

The assessment stage allows both participants to find out information about each other and make initial judgments about suitability. The next stage is to draw up a more formal contract or agreement that covers roles and responsibilities as well as the practicalities of working together.

4. Introducing counselling into the workplace

Contracting to bring counselling provisions into the workplace, however, is only the beginning: the real hard work starts in working out and implementing a strategy for introducing counselling to the organization. Two key areas are managing the counselling process and publicizing the counselling service.

5. Terminating counselling with an organization

Contracts are either renewed or ended.

6. Evaluating workplace counselling

The feedback and evaluation process is undertaken.