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LifeWorks Management Line

One of the most difficult aspects of being a supervisor is dealing with problems in the work environment, either generally or with a specific employee. As performance declines and negative behaviors develop, you must address these problems for the good of your entire workgroup. But you may not know what has caused this new pattern, whether problems in the work place, personal or home life issues, health problems, or how to address those causes.

Call Management Line

LifeWorks, our employee assistance program, has a service called the Management Line that can assist you when dealing with sensitive and difficult workplace issues. When you call the Management Line at 1-800-608-7515, you can obtain:

• Consultation: Consultants are available to assist you in dealing with your workplace situation. They will work with you to identify key problems, determine desired outcomes, and identify and evaluate options for problem resolution.
• Referral: You can refer your staff if they experience performance problems or if they confide in you regarding a personal, family or work problem. Referring your employees to LifeWorks allows you time to fulfill your management responsibilities while the consultants assist them with their concerns. Management Line consultants can help you determine sensitive, non-confrontational, legal approaches to addressing your concerns with specific individuals or in particular situations.

The Management Line is just one of the resources and services available through LifeWorks. We encourage you and your staff to visit their website and explore what they have to offer.

Tips on Referring Employees to LifeWorks

One of the concerns most managers have when dealing with employees is how to approach an employee when some problem is affecting his/her work performance. Some good rules of thumb include:

• Address the workplace impact, not your theory of the underlying cause
  
  Example: “In the past month, I have noticed that you have become habitually late, coming in over 30 minutes late nearly every day. That’s a problem, because our doors open at 8:30 to students, and we expect you to be here and ready to assist them”, not “You have been habitually late in the past month. I think it’s because you have been hung over, and that drinking has become a problem.”

• Mention LifeWorks in general, but refrain from discussing specific services
  
  Example: “I want to be sure you are aware of LifeWorks, our EAP. They can help people with a really wide range of issues. You are eligible for all of their services, and you can feel free to contact them if you think it would be helpful for you now or in the future”, not “You know, you can get psychological counseling through LifeWorks, our EAP.”

• Try to eliminate any stigmas associated with contacting an EAP by stating a way that you have contacted LifeWorks
  
  Example: “I’ve contacted them in the past for resources on balancing work and home responsibilities.”

• Offer your personal assistance in resolving workplace problems
  
  Example: “If there is something happening here in the office that is causing a problem, I’d really like to know about it so I can address it. Is there anything you would like to talk about?”

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For more information:

• LifeWorks Tool (.pdf) - tells about the services offered by LifeWorks

© Carnegie Mellon Human Resources 2004