Effective April 1, 2017, the contract for providing Employee and Family Assistance Services (formerly referred to as Employee and Family Assistance Program or EFAP) will change. The contract with the current provider, Homewood Health, expires on March 31, 2017. The new provider, Morneau Shepell, will assume the contract on April 1, 2017.

For the first time, the BCGEU participated in the Request For Proposals (RFP) and selection process to choose a new service provider. In addition to providing core counselling services, which cover a broad range of issues that members may face in the workplace and home, the BCGEU looks forward to working with the Public Services Agency to develop future support services to benefit our members.

It is important to note that eligibility for services will not change with the new service provider. All employees, including auxiliary employees, co-op students, and employees who are not yet eligible to receive other workplace benefits, such as extended health and dental, are eligible to receive Employee and Family Assistance Services. As before, family members who normally reside with an employee may also access these services.

The main focus of the program—short-term counselling—will not change. It remains as an uncapped, solutions-focused program designed to address a broad range of issues or concerns. Some of the proactive lifestyle resources (for example: parenting, family, nutritional and wellness support) may change slightly in terms of their names, service delivery model, and topics. New topics have been added including: Work Life Resiliency Coaching, an Online Stress Management Program, Naturopathic Advice Services, and more.

New targeted health support services will also become available in the future, to address a number of areas where employees have been seeking additional support.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• March 2, 2017 - Corporate Announcement posted on @Work, and a series of Frequently Asked Questions will be posted on MyHR. The Announcement will drive employees to the FAQs for more information
• March 31, 2017 - new service provider information and content will be posted on MyHR
• April 1, 2017 - formal transition occurs from Homewood Health to Morneau Shepell (no action required by employees)

The contact number used to access services will not change: 1-800-655-5004. This intake line will continue to be answered 24 hours per day, seven days per week. A Manager Advice Line will be available to assist union representatives as a confidential resource to help deal with challenging situations at the worksite.

Members will likely have questions about the new service provider. The employer has provided a Q&A sheet to answer common concerns (Download PDF of Q&A sheet here).

In solidarity,

BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee

Local 467/ MoveUP