Supervisors' Dos and Don'ts

MANAGEMENT

Supervisors' Dos and Don'ts

xperts warn that managers must take great care as they ponder whether to refer a worker to an employee assistance program.

DO

• Emphasize that you are concerned only with work performance or conduct.
• Have documentation of work performance in front of you. Your memory may not be reliable.
• Remember that certain personal problems get worse, not better, without treatment or assistance.
• Emphasize that an employee assistance program is confidential.
• Remember that alcohol and drug abuse, and emotional disorders are progressive treatable diseases.
• Alert the EAP counselor that you are making a referral.
• Explain that the EAP is a voluntary program.
• Call the EAP with future questions about referrals or policy.

DON'T

• Try to diagnose the problem.
• Moralize. Limit comments to work performance, interpersonal relationships with other personnel or tardiness.
• Discuss alcohol or drug use per se. Stick to the topic of job performance.
• Be misled by sympathy-evoking tactics. You may be facing an expert.
• Cover up. Remember that addiction and/or emotional disorders are progressive illnesses-illnesses that can be fatal.
• Make meaningless threats about disciplinary action. If there is a threat, there must be a commitment to follow through.