One of the most difficult jobs for many supervisors is
confronting an employee about problem behavior. You may have to deal
with employee absenteeism, tardiness, and conflict with co-workers or
suspected substance abuse. You may be aware that an employee is having
personal problems that appear to be affecting work performance. The
best training cannot prepare you to meet every challenge. Your employee
Assistance Program is available to help you to deal with the troubled
employee.
When would I use a Formal
Supervisory Referral?
- When a work performance problem has been identified and
corrective or disciplinary action has been implemented. Usually the
referral is made when the Supervisor has counseled the employee but the
behavior has not improved.
- When an employee has failed an alcohol or drug test,
depending on your employer's policy. Employees may be referred for
assessment, referral and case management.
Some common examples of unsatisfactory performance are:
- Inconsistent productivity
- Poor quality of work
- Frequent tardiness
- Excessive sick leave
- Missed deadlines
- Irritability/anger with co-workers or customers
Can I require that an employee
go to counseling?
No, EAP counseling, even the Supervisory Referral is voluntary.
However, the vast majority of employees referred are compliant and
successful in making the needed changes.
How do I make a referral?
You may make an Informal Referral by simply
reminding the employee of the service, giving them the phone number and
encouraging them to go. This level of referral is usually made when
there is a personal problem that is impacting work minimally or is of
short duration.
To make a Formal Referral there is a
Consultation Form to be filled out and signed by you and the employee
plus a Release of Information signed by the employee to allow the EAP
counselor to speak with you.
Call EAP Preferred if you have any questions about this
process. We are happy to walk you through it. Or go to Supervisory Referrals for a step-by-step explanation.
Doesn't the Formal Referral make
more work for me?
It does take time to fill out the form but after that it should
make your job easier. Once the form is completed you have documented the
problem, the goal and what you have already done to address the
problem. You then have an Employee Assistance Professional who will
work with the employee on correcting the behavior.
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