ESP Employee Support Programme Malta : Public Administration HR Office OPM

Organization : Public Administration HR Office
Type of Facility : ESP Employee Support Programme
Country: Malta

Website : https://opm.gov.mt/en/services/

Employee Support Programme :

The Employee Support Programme (ESP) aims to identify and respond to the needs of employees experiencing personal, emotional and/or behavioural problems which are interfering with their work-life balance.

Related : Malta Public Service Commission Petitions & Appeals : www.statusin.org/8736.html

This is necessary to enable employees to be healthier, more productive, able to contribute better to their place of work and to assist the general public. The Programme is designed to deal with a broad range of difficulties such as work-related stress, mental health difficulties and emotional stress, marital and family concerns, bereavement and terminal illness, addictive behaviour and disability issues.

The ESP is co-financed from the European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, with a co-financing rate of 85%.

Accessing The Esp Unit – Making An Appointment:
Public Employees wishing to access the ESP Unit should request an appointment by directly contacting the Unit, on 2200 1210 or by e-mail on esp.opm AT gov.mt.

Employees do not require their superior’s permission to access the service. Following an initial in-depth assessment at the Unit, employees may be referred to a partner organisation which best meets their needs.

Fees:
This service is free-of-charge to all Public Employees.

The service offers a maximum entitlement of ten (10) sessions with a partner organisation, namely:
** The Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS);
** Hospice Movement;
** National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD);
** OASI Foundation;
** Richmond Foundation; and
** Cana Movement.

Long-term support is not covered and in such cases employees must make their own arrangements accordingly and any costs involved are to be met by the employee.

Leave To Access The Programme:
In order to attend appointments during their working hours, employees are required to seek prior approval of the respective Director/Head of Department. Employees need not disclose the reason for accessing the ESP. The ESP Unit will issue a confirmation ticket to confirm the employee’s attendance. In those instances where employees prefer not to make known that their absence is due to the use of the ESP, normal vacation leave and/or time-off may be availed of.

Confidentiality:
The ESP is managed with confidentiality and respect for the employee’s privacy. All contacts and information disclosed with the ESP Unit shall be treated with the utmost confidentiality to the extent allowed by law to ensure that employees have no concerns that their participation will effect their privacy, dignity and standing in the Public Administration.

Release of any ESP records to third parties shall only be affected with the employee’s written consent or in the case of legal requirements.

Referrals:
Voluntary referral:
The ESP is designed to encourage self referrals, where employees experiencing personal problems and wish to access the service, can avail themselves in a private and confidential setting without anyone in the organisation being involved in any way.

Formal referral:
There may be occasions when the respective Director/Head of Department suggests that an employee seeks counselling and support through the ESP, in relation to his/her personal issues. The respective Director/Head of Department may offer assistance to the employee concerned with accessing the service. Employees may, decline this offer.

The first meeting is held at the ESP Unit in Msida. Once a referral is made, support is provided on the premises of the identified Partner Organisation according to the identified needs of the employee.

Publications:
Managing Mental Health at Work:
In recent years, mental health issues are increasingly being considered as a major psychosocial risk at the workplace. Various studies have shown that if not managed properly, mental health issues at work can pose serious risks to performance and productivity. Employers and employees may be unwilling to talk about stress, anxiety and depression openly, in light of negative associations with weakness and failure.

The booklet ‘Managing Mental Health at Work’ is aimed at individuals in managerial positions as guidance on mental health at the workplace. It contains information and practical advice on how to address mental wellbeing at work, supporting employees returning to work following long-term absence due to mental health conditions, with the objective of helping you retain experienced and valuable employees. The booklet may be accessed by clicking here?.

Contact Details:
For further information contact:
Coordinator
Employee Support Programme
Employee Support Programme Unit
62, Triq il-Kuncizzjoni,
Msida, MSD 1839

Telephone: 2200 1210
E-mail: esp.opm AT gov.mt