An employee assistance program (EAP) supports employees with work-related problems as well as personal problems that may impact on their job performance, health & mental well-being. An EAP generally offers employer funded confidential counselling for employees and their family members as well as consultative support for managers and supervisors to address employee and organizational challenges and needs.
Employee assistance program were first formed in the late 1930s to dealt with occupational alcoholism. Businesses quickly started to see the effectiveness of an EAP through the rehabilitation of their workers and the rise of productivity. Soon Employee Assistance Programs expanded to include services to deal with marital, emotional, financial, legal, and drug abuse problems. In more recent years services provided by EAPs have moved to include trauma, stress and depression.
Studies indicate that offering employee assistance programs may result in various benefits for employers, including lower medical costs, reduced turnover and absenteeism and higher employee productivity.
The provision of a good EAP involves employees having immediate access to an EAP helpline so there is no need to wait for assistance.
An employer that provides an effective EAP can help both themselves and their employees by lowering risk and liability, improving employee satisfaction and especially decreasing the stress business owners experience when managing numerous responsibilities with little support.
Benefits of our Employee Assistance Program include:
- Direct Access via a dedicated Helpline.
- Quick Response so the issue is dealt with immediately.
- Counsellors are highly qualified and experienced.
- Confidentiality.
