The idea of an employee assistance program (EAP) is to address personal problems before they interfere with work performance. Employers in North America offer this benefit for good reason, as research shows that EPAs are effective in improving the mental health and well-being of employees. Human resources professionals receive both positive and negative word-of-mouth feedback from employees who have accessed their organizations' EAP. Going to an EAP can be a great option in many situations, as it treats workers as individuals and supports them and their families in difficult times.
It can help employees resolve those problems outside of work through counseling, which improves their mental state and happiness, increasing morale. The LifeWorks study found that the lack of participation improved by 28% after the implementation of an EAP. Making employees aware of other EAP services can make them interested in the program and can serve as a way to facilitate the topic of mental health in the workplace. By helping employees address their issues and concerns, employers can increase retention by earning the trust and loyalty of their employees.
The Association of Employee Assistance Professionals (EAPA) of Australia and LifeWorks have found that the application of EAPs in workplaces in 28 countries has seen a level of improvement of 16% in terms of absenteeism, presenteeism or work due to illness, satisfaction with life, difficulties Labor and employees' engagement. Promoting the program throughout the year also helps encourage discussions about the EAP between employees and the company. Companies should keep in mind that while it's great that many employees use their EAP to the fullest, it's up to employees to decide if they want to talk to a professional about certain issues. The purpose of an EAP is to support and help employees address issues that affect their health and work performance.
The EAP admissions specialist verifies eligibility to receive benefits and then refers the caller to his specialized network of EAP providers that are geographically convenient for the employee or the employee's family member. As an employer, you have the ability to help your employees with these and other needs by providing them with access to services through your employee assistance program. Even if they don't use all of the EAP services your company offers, knowing that your employer cares enough to provide them with this type of support can also increase their commitment to your company.
