About Us
The mission of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is to provide assessment and referral services in resolving individual personal problems and University workplace dilemmas. The EAP enhances the maintenance of a healthy and productive workforce by providing confidential, free and professional support and assistance. Our goal is to be utilized and recognized as a resource for developing strengths and resiliency within the University community.
Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit offered to you and your family members. It is a voluntary program designed to offer a highly professional, confidential source of help for people who need assistance with personal problems or concerns. The program offers assessment, referral, and a 24-hour, 7-day a week answering service.
The University at Buffalo (UB) EAP is available to employees, retirees, and their families. The program recognizes that employees are people first and are subject to stress and pressures that impact their ability to be effective at work.
The UB EAP is jointly sponsored by labor and management. It provides referrals, tailored for individual employee needs, to community resources. The program tries to offer a choice of resources which are low-cost or no-cost.
The UB EAP is comprised of a labor/management committee and three EAP coordinators trained to provide employee assistance services. Each local program is supervised by an EAP Regional Representative who provides professional consultation and guidance to the local programs.
The UB EAP is a confidential assessment and referral program that provides services as requested by employees. Services may include:
- Assistance with family related problems
- Assistance with emotional or physical illnesses, alcohol and other drug-related problems
- Assistance with health insurance
- Information on resources for child care, elder care, legal and financial support services
- Workplace, health education and employee wellness programs
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is paramount. The only exceptions to confidentiality are when information is required by law or executive order to be disclosed, when a person is likely to harm him/herself or others, or when there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse.
Contacting Us
There are a number of ways to access UB EAP services:
- Self Referral: Any UB employee may contact NYS EAP directly at any time by calling the local or regional office phone number.
- Supervisory Referral: A supervisor may recommend or suggest EAP to an employee, but it is ultimately the employee's decision whether or not to contact EAP. Supervisors are encouraged to contact the EAP Coordinator to discuss work performance issues that may indicate a possible referral to EAP.
- Third Party Referral: Co-workers, friends, family, clergy and counselors may suggest contacting the EAP for assistance.
- Web Site: A multi-functional New York State EAP web site is available as of
March 1, 1999. You can contact them at: www.worklife.state.ny.us/eap/
- Union Referral: Union representatives may also recommend or suggest EAP to an employee, but it remains the employee's decision whether or not to contact EAP. Union representatives are encouraged to contact the EAP Coordinator to discuss possible referrals to EAP.