2050 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

2050.1 It shall be the policy of the District of Columbia government to provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), designed to address personal problems that employees may encounter which may adversely affect their overall work performance or conduct on the job.

2050.2 The Director of Personnel shall administer an EAP pursuant to Mayor's Order 91-62.

2050.3 The provisions of a collective bargaining agreement shall take precedence over the provisions of these regulations to the extent that there is a conflict.

2050.4 The EAP shall provide counseling and related services for employees who are experiencing problems which include, but are not limited to, family and marital problems, financial difficulties, emotional or mental illness, and substance abuse problems, which adversely affect work performance or conduct on the job.

2050.5 Records and information on referral to or participation in the EAP shall be maintained in confidence in accordance with Chapter 31 of these regulations and other applicable federal and D.C. laws and regulations.

2050.6 An employee who is experiencing problems which adversely affect work performance or conduct on the job shall be encouraged to voluntarily seek assistance to resolve his or her problems.

2050.7 Consistent with the provisions of § 1608.5 of Chapter 16 of these regulations, supervisors and managers should, in appropriate cases, consider referring to the EAP employees who are experiencing problems which adversely affect their overall work performance or conduct on the job.

2050.8 Participation in the EAP shall not preclude the taking of a corrective or adverse action in situations where such action is deemed appropriate. The EAP shall not be used in lieu of corrective or adverse actions.

2050.9 Any employee, other than a temporary employee or any employee serving a probationary period under either § 813 of Chapter 8 or § 906.7 of Chapter 9 of these regulations, shall be eligible to receive services through the EAP.

2050.10 The EAP shall consist of assessment, counseling, and referral services.

2050.11 Involvement in the EAP shall be on the basis of self referral or agency referral.

2050.12 Up to two hours of administrative leave may be granted to an employee to attend his or her initial EAP appointment.

2050.13 EAP services shall be provided through contracted health care service provider(s).

2050.14 The cost of the initial assessment, counseling, and referral session with the EAP contractor shall be paid in full by the District of Columbia government to the extent that the session is not covered by the employee's health insurance carrier.

2050.15 Unless a separate program is established pursuant to the provisions of § 2050.19, participation in the EAP by agencies under the administrative jurisdiction of the Mayor shall be mandatory.

2050.16 The Director of Personnel shall establish the rates for participation in the Employee Assistance Program.

2050.17 The Director of Personnel may enter into a written agreement with other personnel authorities to provide EAP services.

2050.18 Each agency and personnel authority that participates in the EAP administered by the D.C. Office of Personnel shall designate an EAP coordinator.

2050.19 The Director of Personnel may authorize the establishment of other employee assistance programs in the District government, and each such program shall be consistent with the provisions of this section.