Employee Assistance and Respectful Workplace Programs

Apply for Services

New: You can now apply for Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Respectful Workplace Program (RWP) services online or by telephone.

Option One: Access support effortlessly with the new online Employee Assistance and Respectful Workplace Programs (EARWP) Application Form. Click EARWP Application Form

Option Two: Call our Confidential Intake Line at: 709-729-2290 (local) or 1-888-729-2290 (toll free).

Online applications and calls received to this intake number will be responded to within one business day.  If you need immediate assistance or are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 811 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

About EARWP

The EARWP Division acts as an impartial and neutral safe place for employees seeking personal counselling and informal conflict resolution services from highly trained, registered professional staff in a confidential setting. The division operates using a central intake system that is widely promoted and advertised throughout government and public sector agencies. Through EARWP, clients receive confidential and professional short-term counselling and/or coaching for a variety of challenges including mental health support, workplace stress, family issues, interpersonal conflict, and trauma exposure in the workplace.

EARWP supports

  • Mental Health Concerns
  • Mental Illness Diagnosis
  • Marital and Relationship Support
  • Grief and Loss
  • Addictions to Alcohol, Drugs or Gambling
  • Workplace Stress and Traumatic Workplace Incidents
  • Financial Stress and Advice
  • Interpersonal Conflict and Harassment in the Workplace
  • Services for Spouses and Dependent Children up to Age 24

Basic Principles

  • EARWP is available to all employees, regardless of classification or level;
  • Participation by the employee is always voluntary;
  • EARWP is endorsed by both the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and its unions;
  • EARWP offers assistance for a wide range of problems; and,
  • Privacy and confidentiality are paramount.

Services

  • Short-term mental health services including assessment, counselling and/or a referral to an external contracted service provider.
  • Consultation and coaching support for employees experiencing interpersonal conflict, or who are engaged in, initiating, or responding to a harassment complaint.
  • Informal conflict resolution supports such as mediations and facilitated dialogues.
  • Advisory and consultation for supervisors, managers and team leads regarding mental health and interpersonal conflict matters in the workplace.
  • Workplace trauma response and debriefing for employees and/or departments.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a key principle of EARWP. Coordinators will not collect, use or disclose any personal health information besides what is necessary to connect you with an appropriate counsellor/service providers. Information is collected under the authority of Section 61 (c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and Section 29 of the Personal Health Information Act.

Limits to Confidentiality

Coordinators have an ethical and/or legal duty to release information when:

  • When an individual discloses a situation or behavior that may cause harm to self or others.
  • Situations involving a child or youth, under 18, who may be in need of protective intervention.
  • When subpoenaed by a court of law.

Accessibility

EARWP is committed to providing inclusive and accessible services. If you require any accommodations to facilitate your participation in our programs or services, please contact EARWP by telephone at 709-729-2290 or by email at intake-earwp@gov.nl.ca.

Trauma and Critical Incident Response

How can EARWP support trauma and critical incidents in the workplace?

EARWP provides support for workplace traumatic events impacting employees and departments. Through partnerships with government departments, entities and public sector unions, the division has trauma response protocols to support employees and work teams when dealing with workplace critical incidents. The EARWP Division can also provide on-site and follow up support to employees and departments as required.

Information for Service Providers

Approved service providers must meet the criteria and standards established by the EARWP Division. Applicants interested in becoming a service provider are required to submit a cover letter and resume that outlines experience, qualifications, and areas of expertise/specialization. All applications are screened and, if selected, are interviewed by the director and one member of the selection committee. Qualifications for service providers would normally be acquired through post-secondary education at the master’s level.

For EAP, service providers must have at least three years of post-graduate counselling experience in a clinical counselling. This would include extensive experience in mental health assessment, counselling and case management.

Service providers who deliver RWP supports must have experience and/or training in conflict coaching, mediation and/or alternate dispute resolution processes. Certification as a mediator and/or arbitrator would also be an asset. Equivalencies may be acceptable.

In addition to education and experience, all service providers must:

  • Sign an initial statement of personal conduct and update annually.
  • Be a current member in good standing of a recognized and approved professional licensing or regulatory body and adhere to an identified Code of Ethics.
  • Be covered by annually renewed liability insurance for $2,000,000.
  • Arrange for peer consultation/supervision.
  • Enter into a signed contract.

For additional information, please refer to the Information Guidelines and Application Process for New Service Providers below.

Additional Resources

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