R U OK and EAP - What to do when the answer is NO

When you ask an employee or a colleague “Are you OK?” it can be difficult to know what to do to support them if they were to say “No”.

Thursday 12th September is R U OK? Day, Australia’s national day to highlight the importance of checking in with the people around us. This can be particularly important in the workplace to encourage an open and positive workplace culture. When you ask an employee or a colleague “Are you OK?” it can be difficult to know what to do to support them if they were to say “No”.

Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can be a valuable resource to connect fellow employees with the psychological support they may need. The EAP is all about promoting wellbeing and ensuring employees thrive at work.

When to Start the R U OK? Conversation

You notice a change in a colleague’s appearance, such as appearing tired, seeming flat or run down.
Changes in their eating or alcohol use habits are apparent.
The employee may be complaining of physical health issues, such as stomach problems or headaches.
You notice changes in a colleague’s mood, such as being more snappy, overreacting to things they don’t normally react to, increased nervousness, being quick to anger, appearing overwhelmed by things that were previously manageable.
You note changes in their behaviour, like withdrawing socially, finding their hobbies less enjoyable, difficulty concentrating and changes in normal performance.
Perhaps you’ve noticed changes in their thinking, like finding it difficult to see positives, assuming the worst and personalising things.
They have made complaints about having difficulty winding down after work.

The R U OK Workplace Guide Recommends:

Ask
Listen
Encourage action
Check in

You’ve covered the ask and listen steps – and now you want to encourage action… this is where your EAP can help. By referring to an EAP you can rest assured a fellow employee is receiving advice from professionally trained psychologists.

The Employee Assistance Program provides solution-focused short-term interventions including:

Counselling for a range of personal issues, with access to critical incident response 24/7/365 days
Wellbeing coaching
Coaching to achieve personal or work related goals
Assistance in achieving a better work life balance

EAP services are external and confidential and are guided by the individual’s needs. Remember that the EAP service can help you and your employees when they are not OK, but it can also help them to be proactive to stay OK.

An employee doesn’t have to be unwell or struggling to access their EAP. Proactive support during difficult times as well as less difficult times can go a long way in promoting resilience over the longer term, through enhancing coping strategies and focusing on wellbeing.