When Sarah* stepped into her first management role, she was excited to support her team and help employees grow. Like many new supervisors, she expected challenges along the way, but one situation left her unsure of how to move forward.
One of Sarah’s most dependable employees began arriving late, missing deadlines and struggling to keep up with his responsibilities. As the pattern continued, it started to affect the entire team. Sarah knew she needed to address the issue, but she wanted to approach the conversation with both accountability and compassion.
Looking for guidance, she reached out to Child and Family Services Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Working with Marissa Desiderio, EAP Manager, Sarah talked through her concerns and prepared for a productive conversation. When she met with the employee, he was initially hesitant to discuss what was happening. As the conversation continued, however, he shared that personal challenges were affecting multiple areas of his life, including his work performance and attendance. Rather than making assumptions, Sarah listened and connected him with EAP as well.
Through EAP, the employee met with a counselor who helped him develop strategies for navigating the challenges he was facing. He also received guidance on setting goals and creating a plan to regain stability both at work and in his personal life. Having the support of his supervisor helped him feel more comfortable accepting assistance.
“Sarah’s experience is a reminder that leadership is not about handling every challenge alone,” shared Megan Andrews, Director of EAP. “When leaders use the EAP, they gain tools to strengthen their own teams.”
Over the following months, the employee became more engaged and consistent at work. As his performance improved, the team’s dynamic grew stronger. Most importantly, he felt supported by Sarah and was grateful she could connect him with the help he needed.
“My experience with EAP taught me a lot about the kind of leader I want to be,” shared Sarah. “I learned that having access to the right resources can make difficult conversations easier and help employees feel supported.”
Through EAP, Sarah gained the confidence to navigate a challenging situation while helping both her employee and her team move forward successfully.
*Name changed for confidentiality.