Employers' Benefits

Employee's Benefits

Making a Referral

What Happens Next?

Cost

SMART Recovery
Support Meeting

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Employment Referral Service

Advice, Counselling & Specialist Services
Annual Statistics 06/07

The scheme informs employers of the major benefit of offering support to employees who are experiencing problems with alcohol. The scheme:

• intends to help workers who have an alcohol/substance problem.
• encourages employers not to wait until the "final warning stage" as this does not take into account relapse.
• assesses the employees situation and report back to the employer on the best course of action to follow eg. employee attending agency for counselling.
• assists in the development of alcohol and substance misuse policies for organisations.

• safeguard interests of employers should an incident or dismissal occur.

Employers Benefit                                                                       

Whilst there are no legal obligations on employers to provide counselling services for an employee with alcohol problems, many organisations consider the provision of counselling and other forms of assistance to be one of the central objectives of  workplace policy on alcohol.

The benefits to an employer are:

• make employees feel comfortable in reporting any anxiety concerning their use of alcohol.

• retain employee who will benefit from help and support.

• demonstrate to Employment Tribunal, if necessary that every effort was made to be fair.

• do not have to pay substantial costs for advertising, recruiting and training of new staff.

• have workforce present and working efficiently with improved morale.

Best Practice Checklist for Employers Briefing Employee

• explain nature of referral (self, voluntary or disciplinary)
• discuss conditions and expectations attached to referral eg attendance, co-operation, benefit of discipline held in abeyance,
• explain issues surrounding confidentiality, liaison and reporting systems.
• obtain agreement to referral and signed permission for reports.

Employee Benefits                                                                      

Workplace policies vary enormously.  The safeguards and protection that most policies provide for an employee are:

• time off to attend counselling (under normal sick pay arrangements).

• employees job and employment prospects safeguarded.

• if appropriate, discipline held in abeyance.

• In the case of relapse, a further offer of help can be considered.

All of these conditions are pending a satisfactory outcome of assessment and subject to referral conditions.

How Are Referrals Made?                                                          

• In writing or telephone from the employer.

• If an employee feels they have a problem with alcohol, they should discuss it with their line manager

Please contact us on 01224 573887

62 Dee Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6DS

Once a referral has been received:

• an assessment will take a minimum of 2 sessions

• If we feel that the client would benefit from counselling, we will advise employers by report.

• We will continue to see the client on a regular basis.

• We will supply progress / final reports as required.

How Much Does it Cost?                                                                 

• The cost of counselling, including reports, is £50 per session.  The number of sessions will be mutually agreed (average number of sessions is 6)

• Itemised invoices are generated following despatch of reports.