Basic Principles of an EAP

An Employee Assistance Program is:

Confidential
Information provided by employees remains confidential unless it falls within the exceptions previously mentioned or is specifically authorized by the employee client in writing.

Free
The services are free to employees and are paid for by the employer. Referral to programs other than counseling may involve a cost to the employer. This will be negotiated with the employer at the employee's request.

Voluntary
Employees must voluntarily enter into the EAP process.

Brief Intervention
The maximum period to which employers commit themselves in respect of individual employees is 10 hours. The average period of intervention is likely to be substantially less than 10 hours.

Experienced
Alcohol and substance misuse counseling is a highly specialized area. Interface EAP Counselors have been selected for their experience and qualifications, particularly in relation to addressing substance misuse problems.

Family
Counseling employees may involve their immediate family members.