Employee Assistance Program

• Critical incident debriefing (more information below)
• Interpersonal conflict (workplace/home)
• Grief / trauma counselling
• Dealing with difficult personalities
• Manager and colleague assist (more information below)
• Fatigue and perceived inability to cope with work demands
• Dealing with change
• Building resilience and managing stress
• Anger management
• Alcohol, tobacco and substance dependence
• Relationship and family problems
• Emotional and mental health issues e.g. anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

What is a critical incident?

A critical incident may be a single traumatic event such as a violent episode or life-threatening emergency, or it may be that you have witnessed enduring or repeated events which have become overwhelming over time.

In the first instance we require you to report the incident to your Manager/Supervisor who will ensure that appropriate action has been taken to manage the situation and ensure that no-one else is at risk.  This may involve contacting the Emergency Services, Security, HR Branch and/or the Manager HSW depending on the circumstances.  The Manager/Supervisor will offer immediate assistance to persons involved and document the details of the incident.

Critical incident debriefing

Following the incident, the University will arrange for timely and appropriate counselling and support to those who have been directly and/or indirectly impacted.  It should be noted that this service is offered to staff, but is not compulsory.  Depending on the situation and the individuals involved, debriefing may be provided individually or as a group.

How do you arrange for critical incident debriefing?

Managers/Supervisors are to contact the HSW Team on 8313 6079 (Director, Health, Safety and Wellbeing), 8313 5904 (Injury Management and Wellbeing Advisor), or 8313 0174 (Manager, HSW Policy and Injury Management).

The HSW Team will co-ordinate services with the EAP providers.

Further assistance

For individuals who are experiencing persisting symptoms, further assistance is also available through the University’s Employee Assistance Program.

Incidents involving students

Additional assistance can be obtained by contacting Student Counselling Services, Ground Floor, Horace Lamb Building, North Terrace campus (8313 5663).

The Student Critical Incident Policy and Procedure also provides guidance for staff regarding student critical incidents.

The University also has in place a “Manager and colleague Assist” program (a component of the EAP program).  With just a simple phone call, Managers/Supervisors and staff can access help and advice to deal proactively with the stress or frustration sometimes associated with the role of managing others or when you suspect or know that a work colleague is struggling with an issue and you are unsure how/if to provide support.

Some examples of where “Manager Assist” can help are:

• A particular student or staff member is very difficult to deal with and this is starting to cause much frustration and stress;
• The thought of presenting to a “tough” audience makes you feel queasy.  You need some practical guidance on how to de-stress in preparation for your next presentation;
• You are having trouble getting on with a staff member.  You want some strategies on how you can work through some of the interpersonal issues;
• You have had a hard day dealing with everyone else’s problems and you really need to debrief with someone so you can build up some more reserves; or
• You are scheduled to have a “difficult” conversation with someone, and you want to prepare yourself to deal with the strong response the conversation may trigger.

Some examples of where “Colleague Assist” can help are:

• You are aware or suspect that a colleague is suffering from a illness (e.g. depression, anxiety);
• How to start a conversation and what you might say; and
• Finding the right balance of support and assistance when you consider that a colleague is becoming reliant on you and you wish to set up some boundaries at work.

How can you access manager and colleague assist?

Manager and Colleague Assist is a telephone based service provided by the EAP providers. All you need to do is telephone during business hours, Monday to Friday.

Identify that you are an employee of the University of Adelaide, and you wish to talk to a counsellor from Manager and Colleague Assist. Leave your contact phone number and name and one of the EAP counsellors will return your call as soon as possible. They will return your call within 24 hours, usually on the same day.

Any employee of the university and their immediate family can access EAP services. The EAP  continues to be accessible to former staff for three months after leaving the university. The service is also available to formally registered volunteers of the university and Titleholders (to be reviewed by 31 December 2025).

Student counselling is available from Student Counselling Services, Ground Floor, Horace Lamb Building, North Terrace campus (8313 5663).

The EAP will continue to be accessible to former staff for three months after leaving the university.