Administrative planning considerations for development of an employee assistance program at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine existing practices of Employee Assistance Programs and make recommendations for administrative planning considerations regarding the development of an Employee Assistance Program at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital. The employee assistance model used for this research was designed by Erfurt and Foote (1977, cited in Klarreich, Francek and Moore, 1985). The integrated type of administrative internship was developed. -- The population for this study included all employees and students at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, including two contract services. Data were obtained by conducting structured interviews with directors of six Employee Assistance Programs, administering a questionnaire for management, employees and union representatives at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, and through on-the-job observation as non-participant. Additional information was obtained by reviewing related literature and the Input '89 Conference on Employee Assistance Programs. This enabled the researcher to draw conclusions and make recommendations for an Employee Assistance Program at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital. -- Information obtained clearly indicates that the Broad Brush type of Employee Assistance Program is beneficial in meeting the needs of employees whose personal/social problems affect work performance. The findings also indicate that overall endorsement by senior administration and union officials be sought, that confidentiality be the cornerstone for an Employee Assistance Program, that a Joint Committee consisting of equal representatives from management and union directly oversee the Employee Assistance Program, and that one person be designated in charge of this program reporting to the highest level possible in the organization. -- Data results indicate the need for employee assistance at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital. These findings also indicate that an Employee Assistance Program is beneficial in helping the troubled employee return to work more quickly. It was further revealed that administrative, employee and union support exists for the program at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital. Some of the problems encountered with an Employee Assistance Program include fear of breach of confidentiality, inadequate funding and shortage of staff to operate the program. -- Various recommendations were made based upon the success of Employee Assistance Programs in the United States, Canada and Newfoundland. These recommendations include the consideration and development of an Employee Assistance Program at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, utilizing a formalized, in-house Broad Brush approach.