Personal challenges such as stress, anxiety, family issues, financial concerns, substance misuse, grief, or other life events can affect a worker's well-being and ability to safely perform their job. Many employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide confidential support and resources for employees and, in many cases, their immediate family members. Seeking help early can improve well-being, support recovery, and help workers remain safe and productive on the job.
This toolbox talk reviews the purpose of an Employee Assistance Program, the types of assistance it may provide, and the importance of using available resources before personal challenges affect workplace safety.
Why This Matters
- Personal challenges can affect concentration, judgment, and safe work performance.
- Early assistance may help prevent problems from becoming more serious.
- Employee Assistance Programs provide confidential support for a variety of personal and work-related concerns.
- Seeking assistance is a proactive step that supports health, well-being, and workplace safety.
- A supportive workplace encourages workers to access available resources when needed.
Common Situations Where an EAP May Help
- Managing work-related or personal stress.
- Substance misuse concerns or referrals for treatment resources.
- Emotional distress following a traumatic event.
- Family, relationship, or caregiving challenges.
- Financial or legal resource referrals.
- Work-life balance concerns.
- Grief or loss.
- Other personal issues that may affect health, well-being, or job performance.
Safety Checklist
Before Work Begins
- Know whether your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program and how to access it.
- Review company policies regarding fit for duty and available employee support resources.
- Report to work physically and mentally able to safely perform your assigned duties.
- Recognize when personal challenges may begin affecting your ability to work safely.
- Understand that seeking assistance early is an important part of maintaining workplace safety.
- Know who to contact if you need information about available support programs.
During the Workday
- Pay attention to changes in your ability to concentrate, communicate, or perform work safely.
- Speak with your supervisor if you believe a personal issue is affecting your ability to safely perform your job, following company procedures.
- Encourage coworkers to seek appropriate assistance when they express personal concerns affecting their well-being or safety.
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of others.
- Continue following all safe work practices and company procedures.
- Use available employee support resources before personal challenges create workplace safety risks.
Crew Talking Points
- What types of services may be available through an Employee Assistance Program?
- Why is it important to seek help before personal issues affect workplace safety?
- How can workers find information about available employee support resources?
- How can coworkers encourage one another to seek help while respecting privacy?
- What does it mean to report to work fit for duty?
- Speak up if personal challenges are affecting your ability to work safely or if you need information about available support resources.
Stop Work If
- You are unable to safely perform your assigned duties because of physical, mental, or emotional factors.
- A personal issue creates an immediate safety risk to yourself or others.
- You are unable to concentrate on high-risk work.
- A coworker appears unable to safely perform assigned duties and an immediate safety hazard exists.
- Safe work procedures cannot be followed because a worker is not fit for duty.
- You are unsure whether it is safe to continue working.
Final Reminder
Asking for help is a responsible safety decision. Employee Assistance Programs are designed to provide confidential support before personal challenges begin affecting health, well-being, or workplace safety. Know what resources are available, use them when needed, and remember that maintaining fitness for duty helps protect you, your coworkers, and everyone on the jobsite.
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