Human Resources Unit
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare
We all know that work related or personal problems can affect work performance. Timely access to counselling services often assists us to resolve such problems.
In recognition of this, the University has decided to introduce an employee assistance program to provide all staff and their families with confidential, employer-funded assistance in the areas of professional counselling and referral services.
Davidson Trahaire has been engaged to provide these services and I commend them to you.
Professor Peter Høj
Vice Chancellor
The University of South Australia has contracted Davidson Trahaire to provide a professional and confidential counselling service to all staff and their immediate family.
The following outlines the arrangements and also provides information on referral procedures.
The service is available to assist with a range of problems which impact on work performance, such as
All counsellors are professionally qualified and experienced in helping people solve their problems.
The counsellors are available to discuss problems with you sympathetically, constructively and in strict confidence. Together you can discuss the nature of the problem and develop a course of action to overcome it. If you are unsure as to whether the counselling may be able to help you, you may ring and discuss this with the counsellor before making an appointment.
All counselling conducted is free to staff and their immediate family members.
In some situations the counsellor may suggest that further specialised assistance may be of benefit. The decision to accept this remains with the staff member. Every effort will be made to recommend a service that is either free, covered by health insurance or has a fee scale based on the staff member’s ability to pay.
Staff may obtain assistance in several ways.
Any staff member or their immediate family can contact Davidson Trahaire for help with a problem. Arrangements for an appointment can be made directly by telephoning 1300 360 364.
Arrangements can be made to see a counsellor during working hours, or the appointment may be made in your own time.
If time off is required, you should contact your supervisor and request time off to attend Davidson Trahaire. You will not be required to give your supervisor any details of personal problems. This information remains in confidence between you and the counsellor
There may be occasions where management considers it appropriate to offer the option of counselling. Staff retain the right to either use or refuse the offer of counselling assistance.
As union representatives or colleagues often have close ties with staff members, they may be aware of situations where the Davidson Trahaire counselling service could benefit fellow employees and may be able to assist by recommending the counselling service to staff.
Staff at the Whyalla Campus are also able to access the service by telephoning 1300 360 364.
When staff refer themselves without taking time off work, no-one need be informed. If time off work is required, no information need be given to the supervisor other than confirming a person’s attendance at counselling sessions, or other leave required, as applicable.
In some cases, a staff member will decide that it may help if their supervisor is informed about the situation and how it is affecting their work. When this is the case, the staff member may give written permission for the counsellor to contact a specified person.
Organisational change and uncertainty can be very stressful for staff and their families. Talking with a counsellor from Davidson Trahaire can help you deal with these difficulties.
Davidson Trahaire also assist managers through their Manager Assist Program.
The Manager Assist Program is an EAP Advisory service that assists managers and team leaders in managing situations such as:
Manager Assist Program is a resource service, providing suggestions and options.
A manager/team leader accessing the service decides on appropriate action, applying relevant HR policy. The manager/team leader remains in control in managing the situation.
They are also able to conduct courses providing coaching and support to managers and supervisors. Additional courses to develop management skills and improve the health and well-being of staff may be provided at some additional cost to the relevant division/portfolio.
If you wish to make an appointment to see a counsellor or require further information contact Davidson Trahaire on 1300 360 364.
If you require further information about the service you may contact OHSW on 8302 1635.
