According to IJSRP, over 3.2 million employers, both in public and private sectors, offer some form of employee assistance programs to support their workers. Also known as EAPs, these are work-based programs offered to employees, sponsored by employers. These are designed to support work-related or personal issues that may hinder employees’ performance. Generally, these benefits are offered on a needs basis to assist employees in different ways, including financial difficulties, health issues, achieving work-life balance, and career development.
Below, we look at the benefits of EAPs, as well as the best type of programs you can offer to employees.
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Benefits of EAPs
EAPs offer a range of benefits to both employees and employers. For employees, support is available on a range of subjects that they may be struggling with. Aside from helping with specific problems, EAPs help strengthen employee-employer relationships while also facilitating better work-life balance. For an employer, offering support to staff can increase loyalty, productivity, and reduce time off due to stress or poor health.
Employees who feel valued by their employer stay in the job longer, work harder, enjoy their job more, and are more likely to seek help when needed instead of bottling up their issues until their overall wellness is affected. They’re less likely to suffer burnout and more likely to contribute to creating a positive workplace culture.
Although EAPs come with a cost for employers, well-planned programs, in turn, can reduce the costs of recruitment, absenteeism, and turnover, making it a good long-term investment.
Top EAPs for employee wellbeing
Employee assistant programs come in many forms and vary from employer to employer. They may be offered entirely by in-house staff or through third-party providers with fixed fees and annual renewals.
Usually, the type of EAP a company offers is guided by the most common problems their employees face and their budget or available resources.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 examples of EAPs offered by companies.
1. Mental health counseling and therapy access
Mental health is a subject that could be relevant to all of us at some point in our lives. Those needing support with a personal or work-related issue that affects one’s mental wellness may be able to access mental health counselling or therapy through an EAP. Typical issues include workplace bullying, grief, stress, substance abuse, or family issues.
Employers offering EAPs in this category usually hire counselors or therapists whom their employees can consult or do sessions with on a regular basis, without the inconvenience of a long waiting list. Services are always confidential and tailored to one’s needs. For example, if an employee is under extreme stress, a counselor will guide them through stress reduction techniques. Counselors may also work with management-level staff as consultants to discuss options to support employees who require more serious or extensive treatments.
2. Financial wellness and budget coaching
Through financial wellness and budget coaching programs, employees can access financial advice from the experts. This may include speaking to a financial advisor and attending coaching sessions or workshops on managing stress around finances, and accessing more solutions to bridge funding needs.
Examples of what may be covered during financial wellness consultations include personalized financial assessments, goal setting and tracking, and receiving support that focuses on the area an employee is struggling with. A financial wellness professional can also signpost them to other organizations and resources that can help.
3. Legal assistance services
EAPs for legal assistance generally include free legal advice, paid for by the employer. This might be a consultation or a certain number of hours with a lawyer or legal professional focusing on anything from family law and healthcare to car accidents. Examples of support employees could get from a legal professional include:
- Preparing legal paperwork
- Making phone calls on the employee’s behalf
- Giving legal advice
- Mediation
- Will writing
- Personal injury claims assistance
Following a consultation, they may also be entitled to reduced legal fees for subsequent legal services.
4. Substance abuse support programs
Occasionally, employees may need support with issues like alcohol and substance misuse. Supporting staff through this sensitive issue is beneficial to employers as it reduces time off and improves retention. When they receive support during the early stages of addiction, it may help them to stay at work and seek the help they need. Included in this EAP are access to counseling services from trained professionals, as well as the opportunity to join support groups, rehabilitation programs, and treatment programs for the employee and their family.
5. Work-life balance and family support
Maintaining work-life balance around one’s family and other commitments can be very stressful. It's also a big factor that influences employees’ happiness and contentment in their jobs. Offering an EAP that supports this balance is a great way for employers to show that they’re advocating for their employees’ wellbeing. Employees can expect support with time management, workshops on mindfulness, stress reduction, and opportunities for flexible working. Access to free or reduced childcare may also be included.
6. Crisis intervention services
Crisis intervention is a short-term support for employees who are going through some form of crisis or traumatic event. This could be a number of cases, such as bereavement, workplace bullying, suicide prevention, and emergency scenarios. Crisis intervention services provide employees with access to counselors, healthcare professionals, and prepared resources or training. Response must be urgent to help affected employees cope with unfortunate events as they happen, and they may also have access to long-term support and referral programs.
7. Health and lifestyle coaching
Employee wellness is essential to running a profitable business, which is why it’s usually one of the priorities of employers that offer EAPs. Many employers offer healthcare plans to employees, which include access to healthcare services, medical consultations, and support with wellness in general. Lifestyle coaching supports employees to start and maintain healthy habits, hobbies, and practices to promote good health.
8. Career development and skill-building
The most effective businesses know that their staff should develop and grow to truly contribute to the company’s bottomline. This is where EAPs that prioritize skills and career development take center stage. Employees may be given access to a career coach who can help them set goals, figure out what they want to do next, and support them in climbing the ladder. Perks under this EAP may also include access to skills workshops, conferences and events, and a mentor for personalized career guidance.
9. Conflict resolution and mediation
Conflict is often inevitable in workplace settings, which makes this EAP beneficial. Whether it’s issues with colleagues or in one’s personal life, employees may be given access to a third-party professional to help them work through disputes via mediation sessions or other more personalized solutions. Sessions are confidential, impartial, and tailored to the specific issue. Employees may also receive follow-up sessions once the dispute is settled to determine if it has caused any distress and if further support is needed.
10. Manager support and leadership coaching
Along with career development, EAPs often include manager support and leadership coaching. Growing talent from within is great for business, so companies offer programs to train promising staff so they become suitable for leadership positions. This is often a tailored program focusing on the skills development of each individual, along with support for management-level staff, ensuring wellbeing and workload are considered. Employees may be offered one-on-one coaching, group work, leadership courses, and other opportunities or fast-track programs to gain further qualifications in leadership and management.
Key takeaways
Through EAPs, companies are able to support their workforce with confidential advice, coaching, and referrals to help them overcome challenges in both their personal life and at work. These programs aim to retain employees by ensuring they’re healthy and happy, and to show that their wellbeing is the priority. After all, employees with good overall health and who are happy and fulfilled are the true drivers of a successful organization that can weather any season.