A key feature of EAP is that it not only can deal with individual consultation requests, but a manager of the employee can request the counseling as well. People oftentimes ignore their personal problems until it becomes conspicuous to the point that it is too late to deal with. Such changes manifest themselves in the form of rapid drop in work efficiency, increasing tardiness and isolation from the workplace, and is detected as a warning signal by surrounding people. In order to solve such problems at an early stage, EAP is formulating a system whereby problems can be brought up for consultation by the direct manager. Even in such cases, details of private consultations are not revealed to that manager or to human resources staff of the company. Reports are only made on the progress of the EAP consultation and how it affects the individual's job. Such reports are, moreover, made only with permission of the individual undergoing consultation.