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NOAA Workforce Management Office
Serving NOAA's Most Valuable Asset - People
Employee Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are my EAP benefits? - Employees and their family members are entitled to short-term counseling for up to three (3) telephonic sessions with an EAP Counselor.Services include:
- Assessment:Counseling sessions to identify the nature and extent of an employee's concerns.
- Short-term, Solution Focused Problem Solving:EAP counseling to resolve problems that can be best addressed on a short-term basis.
- Referrals:Identification of community, support, and educational resources.
- Follow-up:The monitoring of an employee's progress during and after receiving assistance.The length and type of follow-up is determined by the needs of the employee.
- Emergency Information and Referrals: Information, resources and referrals that are given during an emergency situation.
2. What about confidentiality? - The EAP is confidential.EAP records and conversations between an EAP counselor and an employee are private in accordance with both state and federal laws, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and applicable Confidentiality Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2).However, as required by law, counselors must report life-threatening situations, such as child or elder abuse or threats of serious harm to oneself or others.
3. Are contract employees eligible for EAP? - No, EAP is only available to NOAA employees and their family members.There may be times, however, when EAP is called to assist with the mental health emergencies of non-federal employees.In these situations, FOH EAP will provide limited emergency stabilization for contract employees.
4. Will I be charged leave when I use the EAP? - Periods of excused absence may be granted to an employee for participation in the EAP for problem identification and referral to an outside resource.In addition, employees may be granted excused absence for general employee orientation or education activities (e.g., program briefings, general orientations, seminars, etc.).During any period(s) of treatment and rehabilitation through an outside resource, employees should consider the use of annual leave, sick leave or leave without pay.
5. Does my supervisor have to know that I am using the EAP?No. You can schedule appointments after work or at times convenient to both you and your supervisor.
6. If I'm referred to EAP by my supervisor, does my supervisor have to know what happened in the session? - No.Information about an employee's EAP session will not be released to a supervisor without the employee's written consent, regardless of the nature of the referral, except in very limited situations (e.g. when an employee uses the EAP during work hours, the EAP will confirm that the employee participated in an EAP session.)Employees are not compelled or required to release information about their contact with EAP to supervisors.
Page last edited: February 09, 2012
