55. cseas - Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

File Ref and link to page number at index
HR Directorate
Civil Service Employee
Assistance Service
(CSEAS) (B10)
Contact: Lorus Collum
Ext: 7031
FAST FACTS
 Estimated provision €1.34m – Outturn €1.276m – salary expenditure €1.206m
o Outturn for 2013 is less than the estimated provision (5% variance)
due to the fact that 2013 was the first full year of operation for the
CSEAS with no annual budgetary precedent to inform spend
BRIEF QUESTION AND ANSWER SECTION
Q&A’S
 What is the CSEAS?
o Key element of HR structure as part of the strategy for supporting staff,
targeting reduction in staff absence due to sick leave and assisting with
underperformance where there are welfare related issues.
o An important component of an ethos of promoting employee wellness,
resilience and organisational effectiveness, augmenting and supplementing
the work of HR Divisions and line management.
o Works closely with HR Divisions to engage in early interventions to help
minimise sick leave absences, assist in return to work and help restore
work capacity
o Restructured as a centralised service within DPER as part of the reform
agenda under Croke Park Agreement
 Why is the CSEAS required?
o Assists with the employer’s duty of care to its employees under Health &
Safety legislation in the area of psychosocial issues such as stress, bullying
and harassment.
o Provides support to HR Divisions and/or line managers in relation to
relevant policies/guides pertaining to staff issues in the workplace (e.g.
Sick Leave, Positive Working Environment, Alcohol and Drug Misuse in
the Workplace, Underperformance
o Provides direct services and supports to Civil Servants to positively
enhance the well-being of individual staff members, which in turn
contributes to overall organisational effectiveness.
 Staffing levels
o 20 staff (1 AP, 18 Employee Assistance Officers(EAOs) /HEO, 1 SO)
providing service to all Civil Service Departments/Offices across all
regions
o 6 regional locations