Employee Assistance - with Absence Management

This is a live Case which occurred within the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)  with Active Care - providing effective early intervention in respect of Stress and Mental Health conditions.

The details

The History

On the 3rd February 2010 the Employee Assistance Programme Active Care Employers Helpline received a call. Jane, a Senior Accounts Manager had been off with "work Related Stress" for 6 weeks and had just sent in a sick note confirming a further absence of 3 weeks.

The Health Assured Clinical team within the Employee Assistance Programme engaged with Jane, who stated that communication had broken down with her line manager, and that she was concerned about an outstanding disciplinary matter...

The Occupational Health Nurse (also a Counselling Supervisor):

1. Reiterated the availability of 24 counselling support within the Employee Assistance Programme
2. Confirmed that Face to Face counselling is available
3. Suggested the use of the online Stress Coaching Tool
4. Talked about a phased return to work and the barriers
5. Suggested Mediation, using the HR Function or 3rd party
6. Confirmed that the issues would not go away just because she was absent, However the employer is keen to support her and find a way in which all parties can move forward

The Result

Jane returned to work 10 days after the initial involvement of the Active Care Team. A Performance Improvement Plan was agreed, and the relationship with her Line Manager has improved.

The client is pleased that the employee has returned to work and is productive (and litigation has been avoided).  The employee felt supported by the process.

Key Point

Without the early intervention from Occupational Health, it is likely that the "stand-off" would have continued and eventually ended with dismissal on the grounds of Medical Capability...(with a Personal Injury claim for work related Stress and a Tribunal case). This case study, further demonstrates the value of a robust Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programme service working more effectively as an integrated proposition.