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The University of Wollongong recognises that personal problems being experienced by staff or members of a staff member’s family can seriously affect both the staff member’s private and working life.
To assist staff to address such problems, the University has available through its Counselling Services an Employee Assistance Program - details of which can be found at: http://www.uow.edu.au/student/services/cs/counsellingservices/index.html.
The University strongly supports the use of the Employee Assistance Program and encourages self-referral in the first instance. In addition, it recognises that the need may arise where supervisory referrals may be necessary. However, the use of the Program is voluntary.
If self referral occurs, a staff member normally has the option to visit a counsellor in their own time or during working hours. The University supports staff attendance at counselling for their first visit in working hours, however, all other visits should take place in a staff member’s own time. Time off to visit a University counsellor is to be with the knowledge of the supervisor if the staff member wishes to take advantage of the first visit being during working hours. No details of personal problems need to be discussed with the supervisor. Subsequent visits in working hours should be under normal leave provisions unless other arrangements are agreed to by the supervisor.
A staff member can only be counselled by a supervisor on work performance only and offered the services of the Employee Assistance Program to help overcome personal problems which may be affecting job performance. Supervisors should remind staff members with work performance problems of the existence of the Employee Assistance Program where appropriate.
University Counselling Services
The University counsellors offer free and strictly confidential counselling to members of the University community who want to talk through and change areas of difficulty, conflict, indecision or crisis in their lives. University staff often consult the counsellors about a wide range of personal issues associated with work, interpersonal conflict, family problems and emotional reactions to life events, such as bereavement.
Referral by the Counsellor to an Outside Agency
In some instances, the nature of the problem which has brought about the need for counselling may necessitate referral to a specialist agency within the community. The assessment counsellor will be able to direct a staff member to the best service available according to their needs and situation. When referred to an outside agency, the costs involved are the staff member’s responsibility. Treatment may be covered under the staff member’s medical or hospital insurance coverage.
Confidentiality
Information on all referrals to a counsellor under the Program is in strict confidence. Confidentiality means that the University will not receive any information from the counsellor concerning the staff member’s problem. When supervisors refer a staff member to a counsellor, they can only be informed, on request, whether or not the staff member kept the appointment.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:
University Counselling Service, Union Building, Telephone 4221 3445 Ext. 3445 or call into the Service on Level 3, Building 11.
Your HR Advisor in Personnel Services. Contact details can be found at: http://staff.uow.edu.au/personnel/contacts/
WebPage last updated Oct 2007
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