Employee Assistance Office

Frequently asked questions

What is the Employee Assistance (EA) Office?

The UW Colleges and UW-Extension Employee Assistance Office is a confidential resource for employees who are finding it difficult to successfully cope with work-related and/or personal issues and concerns.

Services include:

Consultation
Problem solving
Short-term counseling
Referral to campus and community resources

Who can use EA?

All UW Colleges and UW-Extension employees (including limited-term and project employees), their immediate families and significant others are eligible for EA services.

How can EA help?

EA can help you find options and resources for dealing with issues including:

stress
relationships
drug and alcohol dependencies and abuse
impact of disability and chronic disease on individuals and families
conflict
finances
separation and divorce
elder care
emotions
family violence
grief

How does EA work?

You can initiate contact with EA directly, or a family member, co-worker, union representative, supervisor, manager, director, or department chair may suggest that you contact EA. Your participation is voluntary. For your convenience, appointments are available in person and via phone.

Is EA confidential?

Contact with the EA staff is confidential within limits governed by federal and state regulations. No record of service provided by EA staff will be entered in your personnel file.

How much does EA cost?

EA services are available at no cost. For services that go beyond those offered by EA, referrals are made to a variety of campus and community resources.

What services are available to managers and supervisors?

EA can provide consultation and training designed to help managers and supervisors effectively deal with workplace situations including:

stress
conflicts
respect for colleagues
grief/loss
other topics as needed

Can EA services be used during work time?

Work time can be used to contact the EA Office and for appointments with the EA consultant.

When is help available?

7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday

The University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension Employee Assistance Office provides employees with free, voluntary, and confidential assistance in dealing with work-related and/or personal issues.

To schedule a confidential appointment, please contact us at:

Employee Assistance Office
226 Lowell Hall
610 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53703

Phone:
(7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday)
(800) 385-8511
(608) 265-5127
Wisconsin Relay: 711
Fax: (608) 265-3398

E-mail: patrick.ducharme@uwex.uwc.edu