Paul Heck, Manager of Global EAP & WorkLife services, reports that the company provides training to encourage reporting of PTIs to managers. Heck and the EAP staff also provide training and consultation to managers and supervisors to recognize that when one person is acting out (e.g., odd behaviors or threats of violence) there may be other team members with undisclosed issues as well. Heck says the global EAP professionals  help teams recognize the dynamics, rhythms, and organizational impacts as team configurations and priorities change. Training with emphasis on reducing gender, race, religious, or age-based discrimination is another priority. This training is adapted for cultural and language differences in all 41 countries where EAP services are currently offered.

Heck trains and communicates regularly with 29 EAP vendors worldwide to maintain consistency and attention to DuPont’s core principles. EAP benefits are richer than many typical plans  (DuPont uses a 6 session per year model with unlimited telephone and internet services)to encourage use of EAP as an advocate for those needing to connect with an appropriate level of care for mental health disorders. EAP vendors are selected carefully so all employees will receive the opportunity for face-to-face service for initial clinical assessments, not just telephone triaging, if the client prefers an in-person session.  These EAP services are available to all active employees and their eligible family members (also defined a bit differently in some cultures, but always inclusive of spouses and minor children).

Efforts to address workplace stress in some of DuPont’s European locations has led to development of a tool, called the Work Environment Scan (WES), assessing 16 areas of work-based stress. Work teams address the stressors by developing an annual plan using an I/we/they context. The WES is provided by request to work groups or entire plant sites and involves an online confidential questionnaire, small group meetings to report outcomes and plan responses, planning sessions and quarterly reviews to gage success in positively impacting the identified goals.