Work/Life Services & Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What is EAP?

The EAP provides help with personal or work-related problems that may be interfering with quality of life or work performance.

The EAP assists with personal and workplace concerns including:

• Emotional and/or psychological
• Anxiety & Depression
• Stress
• Substance Abuse
• Grief & Loss
• Communication Problems
• Relationship & Family
• Parenting
• Relationship Violence
• Job Stress & Burnout
• Conflicts at Work
• Career Issues
• Referrals

Do I have to use vacation or sick leave?

NO!

With your supervisor's approval, you may seek EAP services during the working day without taking vacation leave, sick leave, or incurring other penalties. You do not need to tell your supervisor why you are coming to EAP. If you do not want to disclose to your supervisor that you have an appointment at the EAP, leave time may be used as with any other personal appointment.

What does it Cost?

EAP services are a benefit of your UT System employment. There is no additional cost to you. When referrals are made outside EAP, they are based on your mental health insurance coverage when possible.

Who is eligible for UT Austin EAP Services?
(check to see if your local campus has an EAP)

Faculty, staff, dependents, and retirees of the following locations are eligible for UT Austin EAP services:
The University of Texas at Austin
UT System Administration
McDonald Observatory
Marine Science Institute at Port Aransas

What services does the EAP offer?

Short Term Counseling

• Short term, problem solving counseling
• Consultation and assessment of personal and work-related problems
• Referrals to community and other University services as needed

Supervisor Consultation

• Supervisor consultations related to employee and workgroup problems
• May include supervisor training and joint meetings as requested with Employee Relations, Equal Opportunity, or other UT Services

Workgroup Consultation

• Dealing with distress and disruption in the workplace

Crisis-Related Stress Management

• Available following any trauma or crisis experienced by a workgroup (i.e. death of a co-worker)
• This process can reduce stress that naturally follows any traumatic incident

Workshops & Brown Bag Presentations

• The UT Austin EAP offers a variety of workshops and lunchtime presentations. Please call for more information (512) 471-3366 or visit their website: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/current/services/events.html

What about confidentiality?

The EAP protects the privacy of your contact with our office. Confidentiality is regulated by state laws as well as our professional licensing boards.

We will not disclose the fact that you have consulted with us, the dates of your visits, or the content of our discussions. Even if your supervisor recommended that you contact the EAP, counselors cannot disclose information without your signed authorization, except in certain strictly defined situations.

The confidential files of the EAP are NOT part of your Employee Services personnel file.

To learn more about the EAP visit their web site: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/current/services/
or call (512) 471-3366.

Use of the EAP will not jeopardize your job or chance for promotion. Maintaining your job and your chance for promotion depend only on your performance.