The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a tool that was created to provide mental health support in the workplace. This concept has been defined as “the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work. This can be achieved through a combination of improvements in the organization and work environment, the promotion of active participation and the promotion of personal development”, according to the European Network for Workplace Health Promotion. EAPs offer a predetermined number of counseling sessions, usually one to three, at no cost to the employee to fully evaluate the problem before recommending a resource, therapist, or service to the employee.
Employees who understand that their company actively supports and encourages them to seek help and to improve themselves increase their confidence in the company and, little by little, help them become comfortable with workplace issues related to mental health, exhaustion, stress, loss and illness. The Association for Employment Assistance Programs states that “it is important for engaged and productive employees to establish a positive work environment that improves and maintains a healthy culture. 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. In addition, this program offers employees a comprehensive mental health care service structured at different levels according to their needs”.
While some employees may have different opinions about whether they prefer to talk to someone they're familiar with or not, this can make them feel uncomfortable opening up and sharing personal information, driving them away from the program entirely. An employee assistance program treats workers as individuals and supports them and their families through difficult times. A good way to do this is to send reminders about the assistance program and how each shared information is kept private and confidential. An employee assistance program can be a cost-effective way to add value to your employee experience. Therefore, such a valuable tool as the Employee Assistance Program is fully in line with the structure of the emotional well-being program for companies that iFeel offers to its partners.
Many companies have begun to emphasize the availability of an employee assistance program in the workplace, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the loss of many jobs and dramatic changes in work routines. In 1962, The Kemper Group introduced a program to address alcoholic rehabilitation and later expanded the program to also address the needs of the families of its employees. Promoting the program throughout the year also helps encourage discussions about the EAP between employees and the company. An employee assistance program (EAP) provides employees with support for personal and work problems that may affect their performance at work and the enjoyment of their personal lives. It is an invaluable resource for employers who want to ensure their employees are healthy both physically and mentally.
By providing access to counseling services, employers can help their employees manage stress levels, improve job satisfaction, increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, prevent burnout, reduce turnover rates, improve morale, increase job satisfaction and create a healthier work environment. Employee assistance programs are beneficial for both employers and employees alike. Employers benefit from improved productivity due to reduced absenteeism and improved morale among their staff. Employees benefit from improved mental health due to access to counseling services as well as improved job satisfaction due to feeling supported by their employer.
