Resource Guide – Helping Employees in Distress

Paula Varnes Fussell, Vice President for Human Resource Services

The University of Florida Office of Human Resource Services is pleased to introduce Helping Employees in Distress, a new resource guide designed to provide campus resources for employees when they are faced with troubled or disruptive co-workers. Faculty and staff should be aware they are not alone in these situations and that professional consultation and intervention are available. The resource guide is part of a comprehensive plan to help distressed employees and promote campus safety.

Printed as a bright blue tabbed file insert for easy identification, the guide provides quick access to important information and emergency contacts including campus and community resources. The Employee Resource Guide was adapted from the Helping Students in Distress Guide with permission from the University of Florida Division of Student Affairs.  Many areas of campus provided input on the document, including the UF Employee Assistance Program, the General Counsel’s Office, and the University Police Department.

Hard copies of the document can be obtained by e-mailing Human Resource Services at human-resources@ufl.edu and requesting a specified number of printed guides. An electronic version of the publication may also be found on the Employee Relations section of the Human Resources Services web site at http://hr.ufl.edu/emp_relations/distress/default.asp.

The University of Florida has a culture of care to which we can all contribute. We encourage you to share this important information with the faculty and staff in your areas.