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Home > Employees > Employee Assistance Program > FAQs
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FAQs
Q. What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
A. This is the EAP for the State of Washington employees, many other contracting governmental entities, and family members. The purpose of EAP is to assist employees, whose personal problems have the potential to affect their job performance, to become fully productive employees. EAP is also designed for use by supervisors as an alternative or adjunct to disciplinary action to assist troubled employees to return to an acceptable level of productivity. EAP is staffed by a Manager, seven Employee Assistance Professionals and two Employee Assistance Associates with offices in Olympia, Seattle and Spokane.
Q. What is the history of the EAP?
A. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) began operation in the Department of Personnel as The Employee Advisory Service (EAS) in January, 1972. In 1990 EAP was established by statute (41.04 RCW Sections 301-305). In 2005, the name was changed to the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Q. Who can use the services of the EAP?
A. All state employees and many other contracting governmental entities. The EAP is also available for family members.
Q. Are there fees involved?
A. No. EAP services are no charge.
Q. Will anyone know I used the program?
A. No, except for certain state and federal laws of confidentiality the program is absolutely confidential. However, if your supervisor has referred you due to work performance problems, we are required to let your supervisor know you came in.
Q. What kinds of personal problems can I bring to EAP?
A. People problems. EAP helps employees with personal problems that have the potential to interfere with their ability to do their job. The EAP can also work with your family members as their problems could also impact the employee. Problems may include: job, interpersonal, marital, family, emotional, alcohol and/or other drugs, financial, physical, or any combination of these.
Q. Why does the state have this program?
A. Employees are the state's most valuable resource. Workers personal problems cost the employer in time missed from work, in reduced effectiveness, and in excessive supervisory time spent trying to cope with the resulting job problems. Getting expert help to assist workers sol | |