EAP services are confidential, free, and available to any State employee or family member living with the employee. As an alternative, employees can use sick leave or annual leave for these appointments to provide more confidentiality. This is particularly true if there are indications that personal problems may be affecting an employee s work performance, or if the supervisor s personal reactions to the situation affect their objectivity or ability to supervise.
Research indicates that early problem identification leads to easier problem resolution.
It is best to identify and document declining work performance initially, without making assumptions about the causes. Warning signs that an employee has a problem include incomplete work, missed deadlines, problems in relations with co-workers, and increased absences or tardiness. A supervisor or manager needs to tell the employee when the job is not getting done. Supervisors should watch the employee s work habits and note their impact on overall performance. A simple written log will enable the supervisor to recall all significant incidents of poor performance, and identify any trends or patterns in the employee s behavior.