Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are an employment benefit offered to employees at no cost. They provide support to help resolve or manage any issues that may interfere with an employee's ability to do their job. Employers usually work with external EAP providers to offer a variety of services, but large corporations may have the resources to manage their own in-house programs. EAPs are a cost-effective way for employers to add value and improve employee retention.
By helping employees address their issues and concerns, employers can earn the trust and loyalty of their employees. EAPs treat workers as individuals and support them and their families through difficult times. They provide outside counselors, resources, and referrals to help employees and their family members. Employee assistance programs are designed to help people understand or overcome their difficulties, regardless of whether the source is work-related or not.
All EAPs offer a predetermined number of counseling sessions, usually one to three, at no cost to the employee. This allows the counselor to fully evaluate the problem before recommending a resource, therapist, or service to the employee. Employers can help their teams deal with life's challenges by providing access to services through an employee assistance program. Employees expect the same level of customization, ease of use, and experience they get as consumers in terms of the benefits they access as employees.
