There are three types of referrals:

The Self-Referral: The employee or household member contacts EAP Preferred directly and schedules an appointment.

The Informal Supervisory Referral: The employee has shared some personal problem or there are minor work performance deficiencies that indicate possible personal problems - in this case the supervisor should remind the employee of the EAP, stress that it is confidential and no-cost, and recommend the employee make an appointment.

The Formal Supervisory Referral: Depending on your employer's policies, this may be a required part of a disciplinary process. Be sure to check with your human resources or personnel department and with EAP Preferred before initiating a formal referral. The Formal Supervisory Referral provides an additional resource for the employee and the supervisor in identifying and correcting workplace performance problems.

1. When a work performance problem has been identified and corrective or disciplinary action has been implemented.
2. When an employee has failed an alcohol or drug test.

It is important to follow your employer's policies and procedures. Check with Human Resources if you have any questions about your policies. Call EAP Preferred if you have any questions about the referral process.

A typical scenario: The employee has a history of good work performance. Lately there have been problems with tardiness, personal days off and decreased productivity. You suspect personal problems but are unsure what they might be. You have documented the decrease in performance. You meet privately with the employee to address your concerns. You document the meeting and the employee's promise to improve. Over the next two weeks, no improvement is noted. You contact Human Resources to get direction. They advise progressive disciplinary action. Now is the time that a formal EAP referral should be used in conjunction with your disciplinary action.

Again, before proceeding with any disciplinary process, check your employer's policy and procedures, no information provided here is meant to take the place of your employer's policies.

Here are the steps for making a Formal Referral:

1. Call EAP Preferred if you have any questions about the Supervisory Referral Process and to get forms if needed.
2. Fill out the Supervisory Referral Form.
3. Meet with the employee to discuss the work deficiencies and the corrective action needed. Use the Supervisory Referral Form as a guide.
4. Let the employee know that the referral to EAP Preferred is for help with any personal problems that may be affecting work performance. Underscore confidentiality.
5. Have the employee sign the referral form and the release of information form.
6. Fax the two forms to EAP Preferred.
7. Schedule the counseling appointment with the employee present, if possible.

After you have made the appointment the counselor will call you to speak with you directly to assure that there is a mutual understanding of the goals for counseling.

• You will get a report after each counseling session regarding compliance and progress.
• The counselor will need your feedback during the course of the referral in order to know if you are seeing progress toward the identified goals.