Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

While navigating through life’s ups and downs, employees can have different challenges in their lives. PG&E’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), administered by Beacon Health Options, offers leaders a number of resources to help manage employees, including:

  • Information on a wide variety of work-life topics, such as anger management, effective communication, elder care and parenting.
  • Leader consultation to help you have difficult conversations, as well as identify and address employees’ personal problems.
  • Assistance with making voluntary informal and formal referrals to EAP
  • Support after a serious employee injury or workplace fatality for critical incident stress debriefings.

For more information on how the EAP can support you as a leader and your employees, please see the supervisor's manual to using the Employee Assistance Program. Further resources for supervisors can be found on achievesolutions.net/pge > Topics > Managers’ Tools.

REFERRING EMPLOYEES TO THE EAP

EAP can assist leaders in making voluntary informal and formal referrals, which can help your employee obtain confidential counseling, support, referrals and more to help him or her manage life's demands at work and at home.

  • With informal leader referrals, the employee is usually not experiencing significant performance problems on the job, but you may be concerned that personal problems could affect performance.
  • With formal leader referrals, the employee is having performance, conduct or attendance problems, and some level of positive discipline may be taking place.

Use the EAP Supervisory Referral form to begin the referral process.

If you need help determining whether an employee is able to safely perform the essential functions of his or her job with or without an accommodation, see the Fitness for Duty information.

FLYERS, BROCHURES AND MORE

Help us spread the word, post an EAP poster in your office, bulletin board or break room or share a flyer with your team:

SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES IN TOUGH TIMES

Whether it’s a natural disaster, the death of a loved one or colleague, a difficult transition, or some other type of crisis, you can help your employees through tough times. Here are some tips:

  • Convey your genuine empathy for what your employee(s) are going through.
  • Be present, make time for face time, hold frequent team meetings, and have regular one-on-one conversations with employees.
  • Ask employees how they are doing, what challenges they are facing and how you can support their recovery and well-being; don’t assume employees are okay or don’t have questions or concerns.
  • If appropriate, work with Human Resources to find out what flexibility you can offer in terms of time off, schedules, dress codes, alternative work arrangements, etc.
  • Host social activities, such as potlucks, walking breaks or other relaxing activities.
  • Refer employees to EAP for additional support. EAP support is available 24/7 at 888-445-4436 – and they can set up phone, video, or in-person counseling sessions at no cost. Many locations have onsite counselors who are available for stress and crisis debriefing.
  • Set up a crisis debriefing with EAP by calling Athena Papadakos at 415-973-5229 or the EAP hotline at 1-888-445-4436.
  • Share these tip sheets with employees:
  • Read these tip sheets for leaders:
TRAINING AND EVENTS

The EAP provides free trainings to workgroups on a variety of topics that include:

  • Coping with change,
  • Stress management,
  • Alcohol and drug education,
  • Preparing for retirement, and
  • How to take advantage of EAP services.
To request a training session, email Athena Papadakos, Beacon Health Options Clinical Manager. If possible, please provide the proposed training date, topic, location and estimated number of participants.

Retirement readiness workshop

To attend the retirement readiness workshop, go to PG&E@Work for Me > About Me > Learning > My Learning > Smart Search. In the search field, type the course code: CORE-9026VL.

This workshop will help you prepare psychologically and emotionally for retirement. A representative from the EAP will talk about the different stages of retirement and will explore steps you can take to transition to new routines in retirement.

Opioid Awareness

We are in the midst of the deadliest drug crisis in American history. It can affect anyone. If you or a dependent are seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) offers the best chance for a successful recovery. Work with your local onsite EAP counselor or call the EAP hotline at 1-888-445-4436 to find the best treatment center for your situation. You can also contact one of the Peer Volunteers, fellow employees who are in long-term recovery and can help 24/7. Click here to learn more about the opioid crisis and how you can help end it.