How do employee assistance programmes work?

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is an important part of workplace wellbeing. They are designed to provide employees with access to resources and services to help them be healthier, happier, and more productive at work. An Employee Assistance Programme is typically provided by employers as a benefit for their employees usually at no cost to the individual. The services offered vary from employer to employer but commonly include coaching, mental health support etc.

How current employee assistance programmes work

The first step is usually the employee contacting the employee assistance programme provider. This could be via telephone, email or online contact form and is always confidential. Once contact has been made the EAP provider should start the process of getting the employee the help they need. This is usually in the form of a telephone conversation with a trained professional. Some employers and employee assistance programme providers will place a limit on the number of sessions an individual can have.

How an employee assistance programme should work

As human beings, we are all different. As such we should all have our own options for how we would like the support via the employee assistance programme. While some people prefer the one-on-one coaching approach, others do not. Other people prefer to learn and educate themselves so that they can help themselves. A great employee assistance programme provider will offer both forms of help. Both one-on-one sessions and live workshops and trainings should be on offer to help those who need it.

The goal of an Employee Assistance Programme is to help employees become more successful in both their personal and professional lives. By giving them access to resources and services, it allows them to address issues before they become too serious and negatively impact job performance. Providing a solution focussed approach to the issues the employees face gives them a chance to thrive rather than just survive.

Not only does an EAP help the individual, but it can also be beneficial to the employer. By proactively helping to support the wellbeing of employees, they can create a more engaged and productive workforce. When moral in the workplace is improved, everything else improves with it. Employee engagement in their tasks, absenteeism, staff retention all are improved. Because of this the profitability of the business can also be improved.

How do employee assistance programmes work - summary

So, to summarise, Employee Assistance Programmes provide confidential support services for employees to help them manage stress, anxiety, mental health, and other personal issues. Through these programmes, employers can help create a healthier and more productive workplace.

When you are ready to implement a proactive, solution-focussed employee assistance programme into your business please get in touch. We can help.

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