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Employee Assistance FAQs

Who do I call to access the Employee Assistance Service?
Is my conversation with an Employee Advisor confidential?
Is my conversation with a counsellor wiht the external provider confidential?
Do I have to tell my principal/supervisor that I am seeing a counsellor whether this is an Employee Advisor or a counsellor with the external counselling service?
Can I see the Employee Advisor during working hours?
How many visits am I allowed?
What can an Employee Advisor or the external counselling service help me with?
Does anything go on my record?

Who do I call to access Employee Assistance?

If you are located at a School, EQ Regional Office or ECEC please call the Employee Advisor located in your region.

If you are employed within a TAFE Institute, Training Regional Office or Central (CBD) Office including our Coorparoo office, we have an external counselling and support service, Davidson TrehaireCorpsych.

Is my conversation with an Employee Advisor confidential?

All conversations with an Employee Advisor are confidential, within the ethical boundaries of the professional codes of ethics. If the Employee Advisor is concerned that an employee has the potential to self-harm, then in this context, they would discuss the appropriateness of contacting a doctor or next of kin. The Employee Advisor would consider negotiating with human resource personnel or a supervisor, if an employee requested it, or if they gave their permission to do so. Any case notes kept by Employee Advisors can only be accessed where required by law.

Is my conversation with a counsellor with the external provider confidential?

All conversations with the external provider are confidential, within the ethical boundaries of the professional codes of ethics. If the external provider is concerned that an employee has the potential to self-harm, then in this context, they would discuss the appropriateness of contacting a doctor or next of kin. Case notes kept by the external provider can only be accessed when required by law.

Do I have to tell my principal/supervisor that I am seeing a counsellor whether this is an Employee Advisor or a counsellor with the external counselling service?

No. If you access an Employee Advisor or the external counselling service outside of work hours or during leave, you do not have to tell your principal or supervisor.

Can I see the Employee Advisor during working hours?

Yes. To do so you would need to liaise with your principal/supervisor for approval for time away from your work duties. Their decision will be based on operational needs. However, many people choose to see the Employee Advisor outside of working hours as they wish their consultation to be confidential.

How many visits am I allowed?

Employees can access up to three sessions per year of free counselling with an Employee Advisor or a counsellor with the external service where required.

What can an Employee Advisor or the external counselling service help me with?

Employee Advisors can provide short-term counselling and advice to help you with work or non work-related issues that may be impacting on your psychological health. In doing so they consider your individual circumstances and provides advice on the options available to you for addressing work and non work-related issues.

Does anything go on my record?

No. Any notes made by the Employee Advisor are kept separately and securely by the Employee Advisor. Any notes made by the external counselling service are stored securely by the external counselling provider. These notes can only be accessed where required by law.

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