Since and employee's personal well-being and job performance can be affected by problems of a spouse or a dependent, this program is available to members of the immediate family. Family problems can usually be corrected before they affect the employee's personal health or job performance. Without assurances of confidentiality from all participating groups, an EAP would be ineffectual. The identity of an employee, referrals and records all require the strictest confidence. No information or file items can be released without an employee's written consent.
Employees consult and participate in the program without fear of disciplinary action.
Counseling personnel should play no part in arranging employee resignations nor be instrumental in any punitive measures against an employee involved in the program. Once a program is endorsed by the participating groups a joint advisory committee oversees its organization, implementation and monitoring. Appropriate awareness and public relations programs related to the EAP should be ongoing. Programs should be financed by the employer. The local association and school board should be jointly involved in their development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.