Faculty and Academic Staff Handbook
19th Edition, 2008
Chapter V: Compensation Procedures and Issues
5.13 Employee Assistance Program - Procedures
5.13.1 History
The Employee Assistance Program, initiated by Executive Order No. 74, was signed by
Governor Patrick J. Lucey on April 9, 1974. The program concepts were introduced to
the campus at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls by the State Occupational
Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse Program. Policy was developed and approved by the
Faculty Senate, and a coordinator was appointed in the University Counseling Center.
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has had the program and policy in effect since
the 1975 academic year.
5.13.2 Purpose
The program was designed to offer assistance to employees who, for whatever reason, are
having impaired employment performance.
5.13.3 Policy Statement
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls recognizes that a wide range of personal
difficulties not directly associated with one's job function may have an effect on
employee job performance. Many times the individual will overcome such personal
difficulties independently and the effect on job performance will be minimal. In other
instances, normal supervisory assistance will serve either as a motivation or guidance by
which such difficulties can be resolved so that the individual's performance will be
returned to an acceptable level.
In some cases, however, normal efforts will not have the desired effect and
unsatisfactory performance will persist over a period of time, either intermittently or
constantly. It is in these instances that a supervisor may make a voluntary referral, or the
employee may make a self referral to the Employee Assistance Coordinator. In either
event, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls is concerned about the employee, and
encourages use of the program when needed.
For more information on University of Wisconsin-River Falls policies, see
http://www.uwrf.edu/HR/EAP
And for further information on how the Employee Assistance
Program works at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, see
http://www.uwrf.edu/counseling/documents/EmployeeAssist07-08.pdf
