Our Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is a 24/7 free and confidential support service designed to assist individuals in dealing more effectively with any personal or work-related problems they might be facing. Where appropriate, our EAS provides up to 6 sessions of short-term, solution focused counselling and referral services, per issue, per year.
Who in my family can use this service?
The service can be used by an employee, their spouse, civil partner and dependants where the family member can be described as over the age of 18 and residing in the family home.
What kind of support does this service provide?
They offer access to a telephone helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Employees can also reach the service through our wellbeing app/platform via a live chat function, and a request a call back function. Therefore, we can respond to your needs at any time, no matter where you are.
Along with counselling, employees and their families can access their EAS for the following:
- Legal Assistance
- Financial Assistance
- Consumer Advice
- Career Guidance
- Life Coaching
- Mediation
- Support for Non-Irish Nationals & their Families
- Health Advice, including Physio, Podiatrists and Dietitians.
- Advice on practical, day to day issues and services
For support outside of counselling, you are entitled to a free 30-minute conversation with an expert in this field per issue, per year. If you want advice on tenancy agreements to consumer rights, we can support you.
Is the number a Freephone number?
Yes, the number is free phone and open 24/7. The freephone number is 1800 814 243.
Text ‘Hi’ to 087 369 0010 to avail of EAS support on WhatsApp, or Text 'Hi' to 087 145 2056 to avail of EAS support on SMS
Who will answer the EAS calls?
All calls will be answered by our EAS team and all cases will be handled by one of our experienced Case Managers (all fully trained and qualified counsellors), who will carry out an assessment with each caller to ensure that each person is receiving the specialised assistance that they need.
What if the line is busy when an employee calls and they cannot speak with a counsellor?
They have put in place stringent measures to make sure that the line is never busy. However, if for some reason they do miss a call and on a very rare occasion you may speak with a member of their overflow service who will take your details and arrange a call back for you straight away or at a time that suits you.
Will there be more online services?
Yes. Spectrum.Life have a whole host of online services. Through their portal https://ucc.spectrum.life/login?org=JwvaQS9w they have extensive educational resources such as videos, blogs and eLearning on topics like mental health, self-care, fitness, nutrition and more. They also have live chat and video counselling available through the portal which will provide access to regularly updated blogs and info on their EAS service, while also giving you the option to instantly call the helpline.
Do I need a special code or my name to access the EAS service?
No all they may require on the initial contact is confirmation of the institution name and some high level information so we know that you are eligible to access the service.
It doesn't suit for me to meet the counsellor face to face, are there any other options for me?
Yes, you can request video or telephone counselling, whatever suits you best.
How many sessions of counselling am I entitled to?
On the initial contact, the Case Manager will collect a person’s contact details, discuss the issue they are facing and complete a quick assessment, taking approximately 30 minutes. This is also known as a triage process.
Where appropriate, person may be referred to short term counselling through the EAP following the triage process with the Case Manager. When a person is referred to counselling through the EAP, they will be provided with up to 6 sessions of counselling, where appropriate.
What do you mean by short term counselling?
EAS only provides short-term counselling. In short-term counselling it is understood that major long-term psychological issues and behaviours are unlikely to be resolved and changed quickly. If an individual has issues that are identified as requiring long term counselling, they may not be suitable for the EAS services. In these cases, we can provide employees with options for getting their psychological needs met in a more appropriate, longer-term setting where they can explore their issues in more depth and begin to change long-term patterns of behaviour.
If you have any questions on that our EAS team can help you.
Is this service based in Ireland?
Yes, their service is based in Ireland. This allows EAS case managers and counsellors have a great knowledge of the geography in Ireland. As such, it will be easier for them to match employees with counsellors by location as well as speciality. If you are an international employee our counsellors will match you with the most appropriate counsellor in your area.
Are there many counsellors in my county?
They have an extensive large network of qualified professional EAS counsellors & psychotherapists spread across the 26 counties of the Republic Ireland. They will provide employees with a counsellor within a maximum distance of 30 kilometers from their home or workplace and have the ability to provide face to face counselling within 5 days throughout Ireland. They will always offer locations that are as convenient as possible to an employee.
How can I be sure my employer won't know I called?
All services provided through the Spectrum.Life EAS are done so in total confidence. The identity of individuals and personal details will always be protected by the Case Managers and their team of counsellors. This information will never be shared with or reported to the employer or management team or anyone else, without the employee’s clear consent.
Can I call the EAS if I want more information on the service?
Yes, the Employee Assistance Service is there to answer any questions you may have. No question is too big or small so feel free to reach out to the team 24/7, 365 days of the year.
