An EAP referral is appropriate to assess issues that may be impacting job performance. Experience shows that most employees accept the referral when the EAP is presented in a positive way of helping the employee. Referral to the EAP gives everyone involved a chance to resolve the problem at the earliest level. The goal is to correct and not punish.
Call the EAP and explain you are making a referral.
- Explain why the referral is being made.
- Emphasize the confidentiality of the services provided by the EAP, and give the employee a brochure.
- Explain the employee's responsibility to make an EAP appointment within the allotted time you specify. Leave with pay may be given for this assessment.
- Explain that you have notified the EAP of your referral and that the EAP will provide you with the following information about the referral:
- Whether the employee made and kept the appointment with the EAP.
- What time the employee arrived and left the EAP office.
- If the employee has further appointments scheduled with EAP.
- Notify the EAP by phone, fax or written correspondence when a referral has been made. Written information regarding the reason for the referral and any action taken helps the EAP to clearly understand the situation.