OIG Audit of Department of Human Resources’ Employee Assistance Program
Summary
The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit of the Department of Human Resources’ (DHR) Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The objectives of OIG’s audit were to determine whether DHR designed and administered the Employee Assistance Program to address the needs of the City’s workforce and comply with recordkeeping requirements.
Executive Summary
The purposes of an EAP are to address workplace productivity issues and connect employees with mental health and other personal services. DHR cannot determine whether the City of Chicago’s EAP achieves either of these aims because the program lacks structure, guidance, and clear goals. This has limited the EAP’s usefulness as a tool to support employees and improve their job performance. Moreover, the program, with its shortcomings, does not align with the City’s broader efforts to strengthen mental health care infrastructure for Chicagoans. OIG also concluded that, while DHR has worked with the City’s Department of Technology and Innovation (DTI) to ensure sensitive data is secure, DHR should document its related internal policies.
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