Manager Assist
Help managers respond with confidence when something at work does not feel right
Managers are often the first to notice a change in an employee or team, but knowing what to say and what to do next is not always straightforward.
UrSpace EAP Manager Assist gives leaders practical tools to notice meaningful change, begin respectful conversations, respond to workplace factors, stay within role and connect people with appropriate support.
Practical support for everyday leadership
A manager does not need a diagnosis, perfect words or all the answers to check in helpfully.
They do need a clear understanding of their role, practical language, appropriate boundaries and the confidence to follow through.
Manager Assist is designed for line managers, team leaders, supervisors, coordinators,
business owners and senior leaders across Australian workplaces. It helps managers move
away from trying to fix a person and towards a more useful response: notice what has
changed, listen well, consider what can be improved at work, offer appropriate support and
check back.
Introducing Supporting Wellbeing at Work
Supporting Wellbeing at Work: Practical Skills for Managers and Leaders is the flagship Manager Assist learning pathway.
It combines a short self-paced primer with focused facilitated practice, helping organisations turn wellbeing awareness into more consistent everyday leadership.
Stage 1: A practical eLearning primer
The 10 to 12-minute self-paced primer introduces the everyday work factors that can influence wellbeing, the observable changes a manager may notice, the boundaries of the manager role and why an early, respectful conversation may help.
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Practical workplace scenarios & ungraded knowledge checks.
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Clear guidance without diagnosing, counselling or taking over.
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Useful as a standalone introduction & preparation for live practice.
Stage 2: A 50-minute online facilitated session
The facilitated session focuses on what is difficult to learn alone: hearing a supportive conversation demonstrated, trying the approach, receiving feedback and knowing what to do
when the first offer of support is declined.
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Recognise meaningful change without making assumptions.
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Respond to workplace pressures within the manager's influence.
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Practise opening, listening and responding with respect.
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Use clear privacy and role boundaries.
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Connect employees with appropriate internal and professional support.
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Set practical actions and a specific check-back time.
Optional practice clinic
Organisations wanting deeper rehearsal can add a 30 to 40-minute facilitated practice clinic using a de-identified workplace scenario. Participants rotate roles, refine their language, receive feedback and work through practical workplace actions.
What managers will learn
How workload, role clarity, support, fairness, change, difficult exposure and workplace
relationships can influence wellbeing.
How to recognise meaningful changes in work output, communication, participation, attendance, energy or coping.
How to begin a calm, respectful wellbeing conversation without diagnosing.
How to listen for understanding before moving to advice or action.
How to respond to practical workplace factors rather than relying only on EAP, self-care or
resilience messages.
How to respect privacy, explain limits and avoid becoming the employee's counsellor or only
source of support.
How to connect people with appropriate support and follow through on agreed actions.
Manager Support & EAP belong together
EAP can give employees a confidential path to professional support. Managers still have an
important role in clarifying priorities, responding to workplace factors, listening to concerns
and following through. Manager Assist helps leaders understand how these pieces work
together.
The program can be discussed as a standalone manager development option or as part of a
broader UrSpace EAP and workplace wellbeing partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manager Assist counselling?
No. Manager Assist is practical training and support for workplace managers and leaders. It helps managers begin respectful conversations, respond within role and connect people with
appropriate support. Confidential counselling is provided separately through UrSpace EAP.
Is this Mental Health First Aid training?
No. Supporting Wellbeing at Work uses an independent UrSpace structure and original manager wellbeing framework. It does not reproduce or teach a registered Mental Health First Aid action plan.
Does the program provide WHS or legal compliance training?
No. The program builds practical manager confidence and general awareness. It does not interpret legislation, assess compliance or replace organisation-specific advice, policies or procedures.
Can the content be tailored?
Yes. Support contacts, reporting pathways, emergency information, EAP details and suitable de-identified examples can be tailored before delivery.
What happens if someone needs urgent help?
Use the organisation's emergency and critical incident procedures.
UrSpace EAP is not a 24/7 crisis service.
For immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 000.
Lifeline is available on 13 11 14.
Enquire about Manager Assist
Talk with UrSpace EAP about your managers, workplace context and preferred learning pathway. We can help you explore the primer, facilitated lunch and learn, optional practice clinic and organisation-specific support materials.
Phone: 1800 270 954
Email: info@urspaceeap.com
Website: www.urspaceeap.com
Clear Boundaries
Manager Assist is workplace wellbeing and supportive leadership education.
It does not provide legal, OHS or WHS advice, interpret legislation, assess compliance or train managers to conduct formal psychosocial risk assessments. It is not clinical training, suicide intervention training, complaint investigation training or an accredited Mental Health First Aid course.
Organisations should continue to use their own policies and obtain suitably qualified advice for legal, safety, employment or complex clinical matters.