Some fear that offering a referral will make the employee angry or will make the situation worse by adding to whatever other problems that person may be having. Those fears are usually unfounded if the supervisor follows the recommended steps. When you have a formerly good worker whose performance is showing a pattern of decline, it usually means there is trouble in his or her personal life. Most troubled employees are relieved when this happens. A supervisor's intervention may be the first step towards improvement.
Supervisors are often the first ones to recognize that an employee is having problems.
Often, the employee may be in denial about the problem itself or the subsequent impact upon job performance. In some cases, an employee may refuse your offer for employee assistance services, and a few may even be upset that you made the offer. In either instance, you will know that you have done your job as a supervisor by offering the referral. Following the steps for an employee assistance referral is the best insurance that your employee will react positively to your suggestion. If you have questions about how to make an employee assistance referral, or need help in planning your approach to a problem employee, call the Inova Employee Assistance for consultation.