Rehabilitation and employee assistance programs (EAPs)

Rehabilitation and employee assistance programs (EAPs)

As part of addressing alcohol and other drugs issues at the workplace, an employer may wish
to provide for the introduction of a confidential rehabilitation program or EAP. An EAP can be
defined as a coordinated group of strategies designed to encourage workers to seek professional,
confidential counselling for personal problems that may significantly affect their work performance,
safety or health.
An EAP provides assistance to workers on a range of problems including those involving alcohol
and other drugs. An EAP also provides assistance for other personal problems unrelated to health.
If a workplace uses a rehabilitation program or EAP, the alcohol and other drugs policy or its
supporting procedures should outline the means and conditions of referral. Some employers will
only provide a referral if a worker voluntarily refers. Whereas some employers allow use of sick
leave and annual leave, others allow use of leave without pay and insist on a thorough medical
before return to duties. Some employers will not return workers to certain designated duties.
It is important that referrals to a rehabilitation program or EAP for alcohol and/or other drug
use issues are related to concerns about safe job performance, rather than attempts to
identify symptoms of alcoholism or drug abuse.
In smaller workplaces, establishing an EAP may not be appropriate. However, it is recommended
that workers with alcohol and/or other drug problems are referred for professional help. If an EAP
is not available, the employer may wish to provide information about general assistance available
in the community – see, for example, the places listed in Appendix 2. It may also be necessary for
workers experiencing problems to seek medical advice.