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| Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
Monash University Employee Assistance & Supervisor Assistance ProgramEmployee Assistance ProgramMonash University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. As part of this commitment Monash values the importance of the contribution of its staff. When staff are experiencing work-related and personal or health problems, it may affect their work performance as well as their quality of life and general sense of well being. To support staff who are experiencing such difficulties, Monash offers a combined external/internal Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Staff can access the external counselling service provided by OSA Group (Phone: 1 300 361 008) or internal counselling services provided by University Counselling Service, Immediate family members of staff can access the counselling services provided by OSA Group. Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counselling and consulting services that focus on the early assessment and prevention and/or remediation of personal problems experienced by employees or members of their families. Supervisor AssistSupervisor Assist is an extension of the EAP. Supervisors can contact an experienced consultant at OSA Group to discuss or obtain advice about a staff member (or a group of staff) whose behaviour causes them concern. The Supervisor Assist program is designed to give supervisors options and to assist them in deciding a practical course of action. It is also there to help them with their own emotions and stress levels. The following lists some of the issues the Supervisor Assist program might be used for:
Supervisor Assist is a confidential telephone counselling service that is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Look@lifeLook@life is an additional on-line resource provided by OSA Group via their website that provides information on ‘Counselling in a click’, Email@ssist, and articles on personal health, relationships, and general wellbeing.
Standards and GuidelinesThe University provides access to confidential, professional assistance for all staff and their immediate families through the provision of the EAP. The key principles of the EAP are to ensure that:
The EAP offers assistance for issues such as:
Short Term counsellingThe program is available to all staff and their immediate families. 'Immediate family' is defined as spouse, partner (including same sex and de-facto), household members and dependants (including adopted and foster children). Professional counselling is provided free of charge. Generally problems can be dealt with in up to three counselling sessions. However in certain circumstances a referral may be necessary to obtain specialist advice. Specialist AssistanceIf the nature of the problem is such that further professional help is considered necessary or desirable, the providers will refer the staff member to an appropriate agency. If the staff member chooses to take up a referral outside the EAP, the staff member is responsible for any associated costs. ConfidentialityA key feature of the EAP is the high level of confidentiality and respect for an individual's privacy. A staff member who wants to access the services of the EAP is not required to inform anyone of this or of the reason for accessing the EAP. Should you advise your supervisor that you are attending the EAP, he/she is required to observe strictest confidentiality and to support the staff member in accessing the EAP. Confidentiality also means that no one, including the University, will receive information from the counsellor concerning the staff member's situation. Conversations and any information the staff member shares with a counsellor will be in strictest confidence and will not be communicated further unless written authorisation is given by the staff member. EAP ProviderThe University has contracted OSA Group to provide the EAP. This organization is a professional, accredited provider, independent of the University. Qualified, experienced psychologists offering a wide range of professional counseling services are used. Locations of Available ServicesOnsite EAP is provided by University Counselling services. The external provider has offices in the following locations. Contact (1 300 361 008) for an appointment at a convenient location. ChargesThe EAP service is free of charge to all University staff members and their families for three sessions each through OSA Group. In some instances, a counsellor may offer the option, in addition to their services, of a referral to a specialist agency, such as a solicitor, accountant, medical practitioner, specialist or another counsellor. If a referral is accepted, any costs involved are to be met by the staff member or family member. ReferralsThe three methods of referral to the Employee Assistance Program for counselling are:
Leave to Attend CounsellingOSA Group conducts face-to-face counselling sessions during normal business hours. OSA also provides emergency telephone counselling 24 hours per day, 7 days per week (Phone: 1 300 361 008). Where the staff member wishes to be sure that no one from work is aware that they are attending counselling, they might arrange an appointment outside their normal work hours. The arrangements for taking time off during business hours will be the same as exist between supervisors and staff members for any form of absence from the workplace. The supervisor does not need to be informed of the nature of the problem. University Counselling Services operates during business hours. Program Implementation StructureSenior Human Resources Consultant:
EAP Coordinator
Supervisor
Staff Member:
FeedbackHuman Resources would welcome any feedback in regards to the services provided by OSA Group. Joanne Turner Written feedback can be sent anonymously to: Joanne Turner |