Employee Assistance Office

The Employee Assistance Office is comprised of the Employee Relations Unit, the Employee Grievance Unit, and the Occupational Health Unit.

The Employee Relations Unit

The Employee Relations Unit advises management and employees on laws, rules and policies and procedures relative to staff conduct, discipline and leave administration.  The ER Unit also advises on application of Federal laws governing military leave, the Family and Medical Leave Act, assists in the coordination and finalization of requests for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and assists in resolving employee complaints. The Employee Relations Unit also coordinates the optional Mediation Program as an alternative method of addressing employee disputes.  An important element of these services is oversight to the self-referral psychological services program.

Employee Grievance Coordinator

As part of the Employee Relations Unit, the Employee Grievance Coordinator provides guidance to Department staff and management on the process which involves addressing and resolving employee issues. The guidance offered includes what issue(s) can and cannot be grieved, response and submission time frames and extensions, the documentation required to submit a formal grievance, allowed work time to prepare a formal grievance, and eligible individuals who may act as an authorized grievant representative. The goal of the Employee Grievance Process is to provide eligible employees a fair and objective process to appeal administrative action.

The Equal Opportunity Unit

Equal Opportunity Unit (EOU) is responsible for administration of all equal employment opportunity actions and diversity issues. The unit is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicant’s based on merit, without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

The EOU provides leadership, direction, and guidance in carrying out the Department’s EEO goals.  EOU provides policy and technical assistance to all ADC staff in carrying out their responsibilities related to complying with Federal and State EEO laws and regulations. View the 2024 Non-Discrimination Policy Statement.

The Occupational Health Unit (OHU)

The OHU delivers comprehensive occupational health care to Department employees. This is accomplished in 10 prison complexes, the Correctional Officer Training Academy and various administrative buildings throughout the State. The services include, but are not limited to medical surveillance, communicable disease management, case management of industrial injuries, early return to work program, and medical certification for the Family and Medical Leave Act applicants. The OHU provides specialty training to include health education, safety and medical instructions.