In a cooperative effort the United States Postal Service, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the American Postal Workers Union have entered into an agreement to provide postal employees and their family members a program that will assist those individuals that are in need of assistance in life.

The program is called the Employee Assistance Program – EAP for short. The EAP program provides employees and their families with quality, accessibility, confidentiality and professionalism when the need for assistance arises and the services are requested.

The Postal Service and their respective Unions have made a joint commitment to every employee within our company and have established oversight committees at the National and District levels. At the District level these committees are called the District Advisory Committee (DAC). These committees are made up of local Union officials and management representatives who oversee the program on the local level.

The EAP program is managed and delivered by the Federal Occupational Health Service (FOHS). All Employee Assistance professionals are provided by contract. Each District counselor must have:

1)      At least a master’s level education in a behavioral health discipline,

2)      A license or certification as a mental health professional by the state,

3)      At least three years of paid professional counseling experience and,

4)      Preferably, hold a current CEAP certification.

The EAP program covers a broad range and multitude of issues that employees face each day. EAP covers medical and behavioral problems including but not limited to:

1)      Work relationships

2)      Substance abuse

3)      Chemical dependency

4)      Parenting

5)      Child care

6)      Financial issues

7)      Legal concerns

8)      Elder care

9)      Grief and bereavement

10)  Gambling

11)  Mental health problems

12)  Workplace violence

13)  Marital problems

14)  Emotional disorders

15)  Job performance – as an indicator of a problem

Employees and their family members may utilize this program to assist them in any number of the aforementioned topics.

Participation is voluntary and confidential. Employees and their families can refer themselves (self-referral) or be referred by management, a union representative, a management association representative, medical personnel, a family member, or by a judicial or social service agency. With a referral, the first visit is on the clock. Your first visit may be off the clock if so desired – as some employees prefer to visit the EAP unit on their own time.

Confidentiality and timeliness are two critical elements of the EAP program. EAP is also structured to assist the troubled employee, enhance the work environment, and improve job performance. AP addresses issues to improve organizational effectiveness, improve the workplace and its climate, and uses its trained personnel to deal with environmental issues and workplace violence prevention.

All client records, file destruction, release of client information, etc. shall be consistent with federal and state regulations and professional standards. The confidentiality of client information is paramount to the program. Program staff counselors are professionals contracted from outside the Postal Service, in conjunction with Magellan Behavioral Health. Affiliate counselors are available to employees and their families regardless of where they live or work. An employee’s voluntary participation in the EAP program, for the most part, will be considered favorably in disciplinary action proceedings.

EAP is designed to help you sort through whatever is happening in your life, to assist you in identifying options and making informed choices. You may choose a referral to a community resource. There is no cost to employees who receive short–term counseling provided directly by the Employee Assistance Program. To receive personalized care, you can call EAP whenever you have a concern and not only for crisis issues.

You may contact EAP counselors by dialing 1-800-EAP-4-YOU or 1-800-327-4968. For hearing impaired, the number to call is TTY: 1-877-492-7341.

You will speak to a person. Those needs that are urgent and/or emergent will be linked to a professional in your community for immediate attention. Those needs that do not require immediate attention will be scheduled in a timely manner within the local geographic area. Face to face counseling is also available. If needed, use the service. It is free and effective.