Managers guide to Employee Assistance Programme

Managers Guide to Employee Assistance Programme



Applies to: all WSL Store Management Team

What is EAP?


EAP is a programme available to team members and their direct family members. The programme helps to address any personal or work issues that may underlie workplace problems such as poor work performance, excessive absenteeism and high team member turnover. 

We use OCP to provide direct access to counsellors, and other advisors, for employees who may be troubled by family, personal, or work related problems. The Company pays for the first three sessions. 

OCP provides a confidential framework to assist team members with personal and work issues which are adversely affecting work performance. These issues may include:
  • Personal Relationship and Family Issues
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Grief
  • Personal and Work Stress
  • Organisational Change
  • Workplace Conflict
  • Violence
  • Financial or Budgeting
  • Alcohol and Drugs



Why is it important to get EAP right?

Personal problems can have a big impact on life and work performance. Often people will not know where to get help and can be too embarrassed to ask for it. OCP provides  a supportive and cofidential framework to help team members recognise there is a problem and obtain appropriate referral and treatment. 

Critical incident support provides immediate assistance in store or on site. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are OCP's contact details?

OCP can be contacted by phone on 0800 377 990. 

Information is also available on their website: https://www.ocp.co.nz

What happens if the team member recognises s/he has a problem?
Contact OCP on 0800 377 990.
They will be referred to the appropriate counsellor/advisor. In these circumstances you may not know that OCP has been used as it is a confidential process. 

How do I refer a team member to OCP?
As a manager you cannot force a team member to attend an OCP session. However you may make a referral as part of a disciplinary process e.g. anger management and get reports on the porgress (subject to the team member's agreement). 

Use the referral form to document agreement for the company, team member and OCP. 

If the team member refuses to attend then the disciplinary action will still continue. 

What do I do if I am aware that a team member is going to OCP?
Ask the team member if they want to discuss the matter with you or if there is anything the company can do to assist. Respect the answer you get from the team member. 

What happens when the team member attends OCP sessions?
If these occur during work time, s/he will not lose pay. Appointments with OCP vary in length, but can be anywhere from 1/2 an hour to an hour. 

What happens if the team member needs more than 3 sessions? 
OCP will contact the Employment Relations Manager who can authorise further sessions. 

What happens if a critical incident occurs and I need OCP to come in? 
Critical incidents may include: armed robberies, industrial accidents, death or serious illness of people involved with the workplace, natural disasters. 

A critical incident can lead to emotional and sometimes physical distress, often so serious that a team member can no longer function in the workplace. 

The OCP critical incident response team is on call 24/7 and may be accessed by contacting OCP on 0800 377 990

Does OCP offer on site support?
Critical incident support allows those involved in such incidents to discuss or debrief their personal reactions in a confidential and supportive environment. These disucssions can take place in groups or individually, at the worksite or at an OCP office. 

How do I get more brouchures/posters?
These can be ordered directly through OCP either by calling them or completing the online form on their website. There is no charge for this. 

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