EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Florida State University established the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in the Spring of 1995. Since its inception, it has offered a professional support system for the faculty and staff of the University and contracted agencies.
The EAP provides the following for Employees and their Dependents:
Confidential and timely problem identification/assessment services for employee clients, and their dependents, with personal concerns that may impact their lives and/or job performance. Use of constructive confrontation, motivation, and short-term intervention with employee clients to address problems that affect job performance. Referral of clients for diagnosis, treatment, and assistance, plus monitoring and follow-up services.
The EAP provides the following for Supervisors and Managers:
Consultation with, training of, and assistance to work organization leadership (VPs, Deans, Directors, Dept Chairs, Managers, and other supervisory personnel) seeking to manage and assist the troubled employee, enhance the work environment, and improve employee job performance. Consultations to work organizations in establishing and maintaining effective relations with treatment and other service providers.
In the Fall of 1996, the EAP began offering a mediation program with the training of 15 faculty and staff volunteer mediators from across the campus. This program offers the university staff employee the opportunity to seek a non-adversarial solution to their interpersonal, work-related conflicts. When an individual is experiencing a conflict or disagreement with another individual, they may request mediation from the EAP. Mediators will meet with the individuals and assist them in resolving their differences. If a formal grievance is being considered, they can still use the mediation process without sacrificing their rights to grievance. The ultimate goal of mediation is to allow the individuals to resolve their own conflict with the assistance of a mediator. Situations not considered appropriate for mediation are pay, promotion, tenure, termination, and conflict involving violence or assault.
TRAINING
The EAP, working both independently and in collaboration with the Personnel Services Training Department, offers topic specific training to individuals and departments from throughout the campus. Topics include: