Every good business recognizes that their employees are their most important asset. Therefore, employee health and well-being should always be a priority at companies.

While employees may prefer to separate their work affairs from personal issues, personal problems can negatively impact work performance. Conversely, improving employee well-being often enhances work performance. That's when Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) come into play.

What Does an EAP Do?

EAPs are work-based programs designed to help employees resolve personal problems that may affect their work performance.

Unlike therapy or counseling sessions, EAPs help employees deal with and resolve life challenges and personal difficulties. These programs may also be open to other members of an employee's household.

Originating in the 1940s primarily to address alcoholism in the workplace, EAPs today address a wide range of issues, including:

• Family/marital problems
• Mental health disorders
• Substance abuse
• Domestic abuse
• Caregiver stress
• Financial stress
• Work stress
• Legal problems
• Bereavement

What Does EAP Coverage Include?

EAPs can be provided by an in-house team or a third-party vendor. Employees can access these free services by contacting the in-house EAP team directly or using the information provided by their company's HR department for third-party vendors.

EAP coverage may include:

• Individual Assessments help employees determine what problems they are facing.
• Counseling Services aims to help employees discuss and resolve their issues with a trained professional. Counseling can be one-on-one or with another person; for example, if an employee has marital problems, they can bring their spouse for couples counseling.
• Financial Services can help anyone who is suffering from financial problems like debt. Often, assistance from a financial expert like a money manager can provide insight into how to eliminate debt best and increase savings to meet financial goals.
• Legal Services can help employees swiftly and affordably deal with any legal troubles. Legal issues can be a serious psychological and financial burden.
• Family Planning can be overwhelming, and speaking with a professional can always help. Doing so can help alleviate psychological stress and help families decide what is realistic and best for their future family.
• Eldercare can be stressful and expensive. Whether employees need to talk to someone about caring for their parents or guardians who are declining mentally or need advice on how to best care for them, eldercare programs can be beneficial. EAPs can also connect employees with a social worker.
• Crisis Response or critical incident response refers to assistance during and immediately after crises. For example, when someone is having a heart attack or is suicidal, crisis response teams can contact emergency medical services, identify what is happening, or (in the case of suicidal ideation) talk them down and redirect them to a mental health professional.

Benefits of an EAP

Employee Assistance Program benefits may include the following:

1. Boosting Performance and Productivity. EAPs address personal issues affecting work performance. When personal issues like domestic problems plague employees, they may not be 100% present or motivated at work, causing their performance to falter. EAPs help to resolve problems and get employees back on track.
2. Increasing Employee Retention and Loyalty. Happy employees with fewer personal problems are less likely to quit. Furthermore, some employees will be grateful to the EAP after successfully resolving an issue and may appreciate the company more, resulting in improved loyalty.
3. Reducing Absenteeism. Personal issues can prevent employees from coming to work. For example, they may not have time to come to work if they need to care for an elder. However, an EAP can help employees plan and enact an eldercare program.
4. Improving Safety. Employee safety should be a priority for every company. Not only do we want the best for employees, but employee injuries and illnesses cost companies time and money. EAPs can reduce stress and improve employees' physical and mental health, increasing safety and reducing injuries and illnesses.

Takeaway

EAPs are excellent programs with a host of valuable benefits for workers. They can serve as an enticing benefits package for prospective employees and boost employees' productivity, performance, and company loyalty.

EAPs help workers cope with and resolve various problems, benefiting workers and the company.