Safeguarding Your Confidentiality If my employer is paying for this service, won't you need to give them information about the services I used when you bill them? Can my seeing a counsellor...or something I say during a counselling session be used by my employer as reason to fire me? Can my employer force me to see a counsellor? Can Family Services assure me that my coworkers will not find out that I'm seeing a counsellor? Will my spouse be able to find out that I've called the EAP or that I'm seeing a counsellor? I Don’t Know If My Employer Has an EAP

	If my employer is paying for this service, won't you need to give them information about the services I used when you bill them?

No. Only collective statistical data on employee groups of more than 50 is released to your employer. These statistical reports tell your employer the types of services used during the billing period, and the amount of service provided. Family Services does not include the names of employees who have used the EAP or any information about individual cases.

	Can my seeing a counsellor...or something I say during a counselling session be used by my employer as reason to fire me?

No. Using the EAP will not get you fired. Your employer cannot use the EAP as a means of collecting information to support your dismissal. Employers do not have access to client files and they cannot find out what you discussed with your counsellor. In fact, employers cannot even find out that you used the EAP without your written permission.

	Can my employer force me to see a counsellor?

No. Participation in the EAP is always voluntary. Your employer, as well as a co-worker or family member, may suggest that you see a counsellor, but it is always your choice.

	Can Family Services assure me that my coworkers will not find out that I'm seeing a counsellor?

Yes. Family Services' confidentiality practices include measures to ensure that the people you work with and for never find out that you used the EAP. These include:

• A choice of office locations for counselling appointments - If you don't feel comfortable
  seeing a counsellor near your work, an alternate location can always be arranged.
  
  
• Extended hours of service - Family Services is able to schedule appointments
  before and after work.
  
  
• No back-to-back appointments - Every effort is made to avoid booking appointments
  for employees of the same company at the same time, at the same office.

	Will my spouse be able to find out that I've called the EAP or that I'm seeing a counsellor?

No. No information, including that you have accessed the service is released to anyone, including your spouse, without your permission*.

*Except in cases where the counsellor is legally required to provide information to officials. This includes responding to a court order, and reporting suspected or disclosed child abuse. Counsellors also have a legal duty to warn when there is a danger that a client may harm himself or herself or others.

	I Don’t Know If My Employer Has an EAP

If your employer doesn't have an EAP, or your EAP is not with FSEAP, none of the information included on this site will apply to you. If you don't know, follow the steps below to determine whether or not you are entitled to access the services described on this site.

Contact your human resource or benefits department. Ask for information on the employee benefits package or employee assistance program.

Look in your employee manual for a section describing your employee benefits package. If your benefits package includes an employee assistance program, it should include the name of your EAP service provider and a description of the services available to you and your family members.