E A P / Workplace Violence Prevention/LRT

The Employee Assistance Program, better known as the EAP, is a free, confidential, and voluntary program that assists employees in working through various personal issues like family, marital, legal, behavioral, mental health, financial, and substance abuse concerns.
By talking with the EAP Representative, you can be referred to the right sources for help with any personal problem.

As a reminder, the EAP representatives also oversee our Workplace Violence Prevention Program. When we think of workplace violence, we often think first of incidences like threats, verbal and physical altercations or worse. However, long before problems reach these stages, there may be incidences of teasing, taunting, bating, or provoking employees in other ways. These are unacceptable ways of treating fellow employees and often result in stressful situations leading to mental breakdowns and violent outbursts. Experts who have worked on some of the most high profile cases in our nation say that the best way to avoid violence is to treat everyone with dignity and respect. They have seen cases where teasing and treating people disrespectfully have led to the loss of a life. I am sure no one wants to lose a life or a job over a teasing incident. Teasing and taunting are forms of harassment, and the laugh you may get at someone else’s expense is simply not worth what it may cost that person or you.

If you are the victim of harassment from anyone on the job, you may report this to your Union or EAP Representative, or a member of the Workplace Violence Prevention Local Response Team (LRT), as well as your supervisor as you deem appropriate. You will find LRT members listed on the EAP bulletin board near the plant entrance. This Team does not discuss or recommend disciplinary action and is not part of the grievance procedure. The goal of the LRT is to intervene to eliminate or at least minimize the potential for violence in any situation of which we are made aware. Reporting incidences to the LRT or the EAP gives us a chance to help employees before things reach formal disciplinary processes, however this does not stop Management from pursuing any course of action, especially one that they have already initiated. The LRT only recommends potential solutions and cannot force anyone to take action, however our recommendations have led to successful resolutions in a large majority of cases.

I have seen an increase in the reporting of the types of negative behaviors mentioned above, so let’s all remember to give respect so that we may continue to receive it. If anyone needs further clarification on any of the topics mentioned, please stop by the EAP office in the Ad Building, and I will be happy to answer any questions. I am here for you and happy to serve as needed. Fortunately most people simply come to work to do their jobs, and they treat everyone respectfully. Thank you to so many for your positive contributions.