Ask your employee to sign a "Consent for the Release of Confidential Information."Most employees will cooperate and sign a release. They will comply even though doing so is voluntary. Let your employee know that only limited information will be provided to you by the EAP.
Limited information. When EA professionals talk to supervisors, they only provide specific information with the employee's permission such as the following: 1) confirmation that the employee came to the EAP; 2) notification of the employee's agreement to follow the EAP's recommendations; 3) whether cooperation with its recommendations is continuing; and 4) whether accommodations are necessary to assist the employee in following through with its recommendations.
It's True! When your employee visits the EAP, he or she may refuse to sign a release of information. Although this is the exception, a release of information is of benefit to the employee. The EAP will help the employee understand why a release is helpful, but the lack of release will not impede your ability to supervise your employee. Releases aid communication. If the employee's performance problems continue and contact with the EAP is not possible or permitted, you should respond in accordance with the organization's policies or work rules as appropriate.
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