Employees who are distressed by personal concerns (see Counselling Services), including the misuse of alcohol or drugs, can pose serious problems for managers and supervisors, such as:

• Safety Concerns
• Morale Problems
• Poor Job Performance
• Absenteeism
• Increased Liability
• Low Productivity

Employees with unresolved personal problems often find functioning well at work to be extremely difficult, and changes in behaviour may occur. A supervisor may notice that job performance begins to deteriorate, and a once-valuable employee becomes in jeopardy of receiving disciplinary action.

What Can a Supervisor Do?

• Meet with the employee in a private place.
• Express your concerns about health or job performance in a supportive way.
• Do not try to diagnose the problem.
• Indicate that job performance must be improved and in which ways.
• Suggest that assistance is available if it is a personal concern that is impacting the job situation...
• Describe company benefits that cover counselling services.
• Give the employee the name and telephone number of the service provider, or refer the employee to human resources for information.

Janus Associates:
Janus Associates offers assessment and counselling (employee assistance) for employees who are experiencing personal concerns that impact their job performance. Early intervention can often turn the situation around, so that good employees are retained and the time and cost of rehiring and retraining are saved by the company. Employee assistance serves as a tool to help supervisors deal with difficult situations in a cost-effective manner.

Company health benefits or insurance plans often cover these costs (fully or in part). Contact your human resources or benefits co-ordinator for details, or respond through our on-line form for further information.