How do I access the work-life balance employee assistance program?
Help is only a call or a click away. Just call the central, toll-free number:
- English: 800-854-1446
- Spanish: 877-858-2147
- TTY/TDD: 800-999-3004
Or visit our comprehensive website at
LifeWorks (user ID and password:
lifebalance). Both services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Consultants are available immediately to discuss your concerns.
Who provides Unum's work-life balance employee assistance program?
Your employer has made the work-life balance employee assistance program available to you through your Unum disability and/or group term life insurance benefits. The services are provided by Ceridian Corporation, a leading provider of human resource solutions and support.
Do I have to pay to use the services?
There is no charge for calling a counselor, using the website, downloading educational materials or getting information (such as an outside referral) through the work-life balance employee assistance program. Up to three face-to-face sessions with a local provider may be available to you for each short-term problem or assessment of your concern. If your concern is longer term in nature, a work-life balance consultant may assist you in accessing continuing care, for which you would be financially responsible. Some services may be payable under your medical or health insurance plans. Check your policy details
How can one nationwide toll-free number help me locate assistance in my community?
When you call the toll-free number, a consultant will talk to you about your specific needs. Ceridian, the work-life balance employee assistance provider, maintains a national database of local resources contracted to provide services such as mental health counseling, addiction treatment, child care and elder care in your area. For other work-life balance issues, the consultant can tap into national and local organizations that specialize in providing information and/or local referrals.
Is my call to the work-life balance employee assistance program confidential?
Yes, within the constraints of the law.
[*] No information about you or your calls will be available to anyone without your explicit written consent — not even to your employer, boss or family.
What kind of information do I have to tell the work-life balance consultant and what do they report to my employer?
The consultant will ask your name, home address, e-mail address and the name of the company that provides your program. This is to help during the conversation and so the consultant can make referrals or e-mail information to you. It will also help the consultant in follow-up calls. No information about your call is given to your employer.
Can the work-life balance program help if my family lives in another state?
Absolutely. A consultant will research information on various options and alternatives available in your community or theirs when direct services are necessary.
Can the work-life balance program help with special needs?
Yes. Programs available for special needs children and adults vary considerably depending on your location. In many areas, resources are scarce. Nevertheless, a consultant will help you, to the extent possible in your location, identify all options available to meet your special need and works with you until a solution is found.
If my needs or my family's needs change, can I call again?
Absolutely. You and your immediate family members can call the toll-free number as often as you wish to gather information and referrals, or to discuss current assistance arrangements.
Can I talk to the same consultant each time I call?
Yes. In fact, you are encouraged to talk with the same consultant each time you call. Usually toward the end of the first call, your consultant will ask whether you want to talk again. If you do, then you and the consultant will decide who will call whom, when, where, and whether the consultant can leave her or his name and a message on your answering machine. No information about your call or issue will be left on your answering machine unless you advise otherwise.
[*] What's to prevent me from giving the 800-number to anyone and everyone?
Nothing. It's your program. You decide to whom you want to give the number. The service is for you and anyone close to you whose situation causes you stress and concern.
Can young kids and teenagers call? As a parent, I'd want to know about it.
The work-life balance program has a wealth of resources to support families, ranging from publications to research about community resources to face-to-face family sessions. Our telephone consultations are available to callers eighteen or older. If a child under eighteen needs assistance, the parent or guardian would contact us to request assistance on their behalf or, in limited situations, to give verbal permission for us to speak to the child. If a child contacts us directly with an emergency, we would take steps to ensure the safety of the child, but we cannot provide referrals to a minor without the parent's permission.
Who is eligible for these services?
You are eligible to access Unum's work-life balance program services if the following insurance plan(s) are provided to you or made available to you through your employer:
- long term disability income protection insurance
- group term life insurance
And, you have use of the services even if you never file a claim!