TERMS OF REFERENCE
National EAP Advisory Committee
1.0 INTRODUCTION
CRA, PIPSC and PSAC fully support the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and its role in promoting employee and organizational health. They have agreed to participate in a National EAP Advisory Committee, a strategic and advisory body whose role is to:
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Support CRA’s multi-faceted EAP and foster awareness of its value within their organizations and throughout the CRA
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Ensure that the Program remains sensitive to the CRA’s evolving business in order to better meet employee and organizational needs; and
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Serve as a forum for joint labour-management consultation on Program design and development issues.
The National EAP Advisory Committee will provide a forum for the frank and open exchange of ideas, and the unions’ views will be actively sought and considered to help shape a Program that meets the needs of our diverse population. Consultation will be ongoing and will not be limited to the formal meetings of the Committee. While consultation does not involve mutual decision-making or formal agreement, it does mean that Management will take into account the views and suggestions advanced by the Unions.
The members of the Committee are committed to providing sufficient and timely information on matters of mutual interest to ensure a good understanding of the issue under discussion in order to have meaningful consultation on these matters.
2.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The following guiding principles for CRA’s EAP will form the basis for the work of the National EAP Advisory Committee:
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The Program exists to serve the needs of all employees
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All employees must have access to a consistent level and quality of services
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All employees have the right to participate in the Program
3.0 SCOPE
The National EAP Advisory Committee’s primary focus will be the strategic direction of the Program, with a view to ensuring that EAP meets the needs of employees in an evolving organization. The Committee will concentrate on its educational role and address issues that are national and systemic in scope and impact.
Issues tabled will be reviewed to determine whether they are appropriate to the Committee. Issues not appropriate for discussion by the Committee will be redirected to the appropriate forum. In cases of unresolved local or regional issues, the Committee may provide advice or direction; however, resolution of these issues is outside the Committee’s mandate and should be addressed through regular UMC processes at the Regional or Branch level through the appropriate EAP coordinator-counsellor and/or Director of HR.
4.0 MANDATE
The National EAP Advisory Committee will allow management and the unions to discuss the strategic direction of the Program and provide advice to the National EAP Office. The Committee will:
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provide advice on issues of national scope or impact
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provide advice and ideas on Program improvement
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review, discuss and provide advice and recommendations on policy issues and proposals
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review, discuss and provide input to strategies, plans and products
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review Program performance reports and make recommendations on future direction or focus
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recognize best practices that raise the profile of the EAP and enhance service to employees
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discuss all aspects of the Program and related issues having national scope/implication and which may have an impact on employee wellness in general and the Program in particular
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promote the Program within their own national organizations and educate members of their communities on the value and benefits of the Program
5.0 COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE
The Committee shall be composed of the following members:
Management Representatives
- The Director General responsible for EAP at the national level
- A Regional Director
Program Staff
- The National EAP Coordinator
Union Representatives
- One PIPSC representative
- One UTE representative
Others
- Technical or program experts/advisors/observers as required
Alternates
- Each committee member may select an alternate member to serve as his/her replacement when he or she is unable to attend a meeting.
6.0 CHAIRING OF MEETINGS
The Director General responsible for EAP at the national level will act as chair.
7.0 FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
Meetings will be held twice a year. Should the need arise, and upon the agreement of all members, ad hoc meetings may be scheduled.
8.0 MINUTES
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Management will provide secretariat services.
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Draft minutes will be prepared by Management and circulated for review and comments.
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Committee members will approve the final minutes.
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Management will ensure each Committee member receives a copy of the final minutes.
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Minutes will be distributed to managers and union representatives, HR Directors and the EAP network (coordinator-counsellors; local committees; referral agents).
9.0 LEAVE FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Participants will be granted leave with pay to attend National EAP Advisory Committee meetings.