AN OIL CHANGE FOR YOUR BRAIN: NNSY commits to employee health and wellbeing with comprehensive assistance program BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST When it comes to understanding the many employee assistance program benefits available to Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) employees, ignorance is not bliss. “If they don’t know about it, they can’t use it,” said Department of the Navy Civilian Employee Assistance Program (DONCEAP) Field Staff Consultant Philip J. Taylor. “My goal is to educate employees about the DONCEAP and WorkLife services available for shipyard employees.” Juggling the many responsibilities that come with having a full time job, a family, bills to pay and a future to plan for can be exhausting. In other words, “adulting” is hard. To prevent employees from feeling overwhelmed, Norfolk Naval Shipyard provides a free, comprehensive suite of confidential assistance and work/life benefits through DONCEAP. Taylor delivered two orientation briefs to shipyard supervisors in May to raise awareness of DONCEAP at the shipyard. He’s got several more briefs scheduled this summer for various shops and codes, and hopes to get more on the calendar. “We want employees to address the little problems before they become big problems,” said Taylor. “Think of it like an oil change. If you do the regularly scheduled maintenance, your car is less likely to break down on the side of the road. The same is true for people. It’s often in our best interest to address an issue early before a problem grows larger or new problems develop.” Participation in the program is completely voluntary and confidential. As a free resource for employees, DONCEAP offers assistance for a variety of scenarios, from stress, anxiety and depression to parenting concerns and relationship struggles. DONCEAP also offers legal and financial consultations for employees who need guidance on budgeting, debt consolidation, and retirement planning, as well as divorce and family law, will preparation, traffic violations, and more. DONCEAP’s WorkLife program helps employees and their dependents manage day-to-day responsibilities and life events.
Program specialists are available 24/7 to provide expert guidance, personalized referrals and informational materials on issues such as adoption, child care, elder care, relocation, college, pet care, and more. DONCEAP and WorkLife are more than counseling resources for employees, they’re also managerial resources designed to improve health and productivity within organizations. Supervisors can take advantage of management consultations, which provide tailored support for leadership functions, like engaging with employees who exhibit behavioral challenges or having difficult conversations about organizational change. There is often a negative stigma around seeking help, and many people mistrust that DONCEAP and WorkLife services are truly confidential. Taylor said he can’t disclose when employees visit the DONCEAP office, and the program adheres to strict confidentiality requirements in accordance with federal and state laws. “Tell your employees about the program,” urged Taylor. “Let them attend the employee orientations we’re hosting. Tell them to come meet me. It can be hard to ask for help but taking the time to do something for your well-being takes a lot more strength than trying to handle it alone.” Employees can also check out the website (see below) to get a sense of the range of services offered. According to Taylor, employees who take advantage of DONCEAP benefits are statistically more productive at work and less likely to lose focus, call in sick, or even quit. Employees who call DONCEAP for assistance can expect confidential assistance at any time of day or night and will always be directly connected to a person. For more information or to request a DONCEAP brief for your employees, call the 24/7 toll free number at 1-844-DONCEAP or go to the webpage at https://donceap.foh.psc.gov.
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