Employee Assistance

When indicators of substance abuse are present in an employee, possibly from a positive alcohol or drug test, Chandler Consulting Inc. will provide confidential professional help necessary for the employee's return to good health and productivity. Jan Chandler, a qualified Substance Abuse Professional, will administer a substance abuse evaluation, provide out-patient treatment services, and complete a post-treatment evaluation, as well as implement a Return To Duty contract. Referrals to treatment providers outside the Central Alberta area are available.

Employee Assistance Program Information

An Employee Assistance Program is a professional assessment and counselling service for employees. The program operates by providing access for employees to professionals and by training supervisors in the techniques of making referrals effectively and efficiently while maintaining their role as supervisor rather than counsellor.

Employee assistance programs are usually provided by the employer so that an employee or his dependents may benefit from the early detection, care and handling of problems in the areas of personal or emotional problems, drug abuse, legal problems, or alcoholism.

The minimum requirement of US Department of Transport for an EAP is that companies provide a list of community agencies. Under US DOT Regulations any employer who does decide to return an employee to safety-sensitive duties must ensure that the employee:

1. Has been evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional.
2. Has complied with any recommended treatment.
3. Has taken a return-to-duty alcohol and/or drug test.
4. Is subject to unannounced follow-up alcohol and/or drug tests.

When indicators of substance abuse are present in an employee, possibly from a positive drug test, Chandler Consulting Inc. will provide confidential professional help necessary for the employee's return to good health and productivity. A qualified alcohol and drug counselor will administer a substance abuse evaluation, provide outpatient treatment services and/or referral to an appropriate in-patient treatment centre, complete a post-treatment evaluation, as well as implement a Return to Duty contract. Any treatment or rehabilitation would be provided in accordance with the employer's policy.

EAP Referral

EAP providers may be utilized to assist workers with their personal or substance abuse problems in three different ways:

1. Employee self-referral.
2. Supervisor referral based on documented poor job performance.
Company policy referral based on first-offence confirmed drug or alcohol test.

Employer Benefits of an Employee Assistance Program

An Employee Assistance Program can be utilized to assist workers with their personal or substance abuse problems, thus playing an important role in a company's overall substance abuse program.

Benefits to the employer are as follows:

• The employer can offer assistance to employees who need or want help.
• The employer can also monitor those individuals who have previously tested positive for drugs or alcohol.
• An EAP can be a cost containment tool to reduce the need of expensive inpatient treatment programs.
• The program can form a part of a corporate defense if an employee takes legal action after termination.

Access and Cost of Services

• Access of Services - Chandler Consulting Inc. will offer an evaluation within two working days of initial contact.
• Substance Abuse Evaluation - Approximately two hours - $190.00. $320.00 for a US DOT Substance Abuse Professional Evaluation and Follow Up. Counselling/Treatment - $95.00/hour.