The Impact of Gender and Status in a University Setting on Importance of EAP Services

Employee Assistance Practice with Sexual Minorities

“…Poverny and Finch (1988 a) noted over a decade ago that employee assistance professionals are uniquely positioned within the work environment to assist management and workers with the development, revision and implementation of policies and practices for this previously invisible employee population. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's) not only address individual worker needs and problems, but also have the potential to contribute to improved human resource decision making (Googins & Davidson, 1993;Fritz & Myers, 1998). It is within the context of the EAP that an organization's policies, managerial practices, and direct services to individuals interact, and the employee assistance professional must have a full understanding of this interaction in order to intervene effectively on behalf of lesbian and gay workers.…”

“…An inclusively oriented EAP will make a point of having multiple resources, referrals and ongoing consultation as a means of staying well-versed on this often hidden and under-recognized employee group. As Fritz and Myers (1998) …”