EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE SERVICES

WHAT IS THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE SERVICES (EAS) PROGRAM?

EAS is an employee assistance program contracting with over 160 employers throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, providing FREE and CONFIDENTIAL early detection and effective intervention for employees and their family members who are experiencing personal problems which affect their personal lives and/or their employment. With five offices throughout the area, EAS is able to serve over 8,000 employees and their household members throughout the region.

Our minds are always thinking of a lot of things – including when we are at work. We think about home, then at home we think about work. Employee Assistance Services (EAS) works with employees of contracted organizations, as well as anyone in their households, to reduce the stress of everyday life. In one to four sessions, participants are reminded of skills they already possess or work on new skills to apply in their life. Whether it is communicating with a specific family member, developing a realistic budget and sticking to it, handling coworkers who get on your nerves – or your boss – calling EAS can help.

HOW CAN I BE REFERRED?

You or a household member can request assistance from EAS by simply calling for an appointment (1.800.724.0747 or 518.563.8293) weekdays between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Remember, this benefit is CONFIDENTIAL – you do not have to ask anyone permission to use this benefit. No one will be informed without your explicit permission.

A supervisor may refer an employee to EAS if job performance has fallen below an acceptable level. This is an opportunity for the employee to work out any personal or job-related issues that may be affecting their performance. The only information a supervisor will receive is the employee’s attendance at sessions and cooperation with the referral. No personal information will be released without your written consent.

We are available to assist you with a variety of management concerns and issues. We recognize that stress is inherent in the workplace and this is especially true when changes occur. We can help you make the transitions smoother by offering support, ideas and programs to fit your individual situation.

Information for the Employer

We all know that a troubled employee will cost an organization time and money because of lower productivity, absenteeism, increased insurance and health care costs, accidents and turnover. EAS can help you keep those costs under control.

The professional staff of EAS provides confidential assistance for your organization and employees. We encourage employees to call EAS before a situation affects work performance.

Do you comply with D.O.T. regulations?
Need support for your management team?
Want more training for your employees and managers?
How about someone to talk with when things get tough?
What about all these generations working together?

As a management support system, EAS offers training for all supervisory level personnel on how to make a referral to EAS, how to interact with a troubled employee, and how to access and utilize EAS; workshops and in-service training on a variety of issues – tailored to your specific situation; assistance with policy formation; executive coaching in other areas of concerns within the organization. Our trainings are available both onsite and online as well as in our Plattsburgh offices on a regular basis.

As an employee benefit, EAS becomes part of the benefit package you offer to your employees. This benefit will extend and complement your current program. As the employer, you pay a fee based on the total number of employees you have in your organization. The fee may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

You will reduce company expenses through your EAP. Assisting employees in finding cost effective treatment means lower health care costs which in turn keep your insurance premiums lower. Giving employees an alternative to dismissal means increased protection from wrongful termination costs. Less employee turnover means lower training costs. Improved morale means increased productivity.

Benefits for Management include:

Improved Employee Morale
Improved Work Performance
Decrease in Employee Turnover
Decrease in Employee Conflicts
Improved Attendance
Improved Employee, Union & Public Attitudes
A System to Deal with Sensitive & Difficult Issues

Workshops:

Various workshops are available to be scheduled at your company site or in our Conference Room at our main office. A few selections from our extensive list of offerings include:

Respect in the Workplace
Sexual Harassment Awareness/Sensitivity Training
Effective Communication
Healthy Relationships
Using Our Generational Differences To Get Work Done!
Budgeting
Trauma in the Workplace
Drug-Free Workplace Training
Workplace Violence Prevention
Time Management
Federally mandated D.O.T. Alcohol & Drug Training (49CFR Parts 382 & 40)

Information for the Employee

Once in a while all of us are troubled by personal, family or work problems. Many times we can solve the problem ourselves. But if you have a situation which begins to affect your relationships and daily performance, it is wise to seek help.

EAS is a confidential and free service offered to all employees and their immediate families of the 125+ business, organizations and municipalities currently under contract in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties of New York. The program offers assistance with a broad range of issues which may be affecting your life and work including:

Stress
Marital
Communication
Career
Emotional
Family
Financial
Legal
Alcohol/Drug Use
Team Building
Personality Conflict

There is no cost to you for assessment, consultation and short-term counseling done by EAS. If an outside referral is made, your financial situation and insurance coverage will be taken into consideration. You will be informed of any cost involved.

You or a family member can request assistance from EAS by simply calling for an appointment: 1-800-724-0747 or 518-563-8293.

Appointments are arranged between 8:30am and 7pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8:30am and 5pm on Friday. In the event of an emergency, counselors are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All contacts with EAS are completely confidential and unless you give your explicit permission, no on else will be informed. However, if EAS believes there is a threat of serious harm to yourselves or others, the law may require us to report the situation to authorities.

A supervisor may refer an employee to EAS if job performance has fallen below an acceptable level. This is an opportunity for the employee to work out any personal or job-related problems which may be affecting performance. The only information a supervisor will receive is the employee’s cooperation with the referral. No personal information will be released without your written consent.

EAS offices are located in Plattsburgh, Malone, Westport, Saranac Lake, and now virtually. When scheduling your appointment, you may choose whichever location is most accessible for you or schedule a virtual appointment that can be accessed by your phone or computer. EAS is provided as a benefit to you…use it!