What is an EAP?
An employee assistance program is an employer-sponsored program that offers services or referrals to help employees deal with personal problems. Traditionally, the focus was drug and alcohol abuse, but many employers have expanded programs to include a variety of issues.
Why Offer an EAP?
When employees are distracted by stressful personal or life situations, they are unfocused at work and tend to be absent more often. Their health may suffer as a result, leading to higher medical costs. Obviously, these circumstances are undesirable for an employer, but it is costly to recruit and train a replacement for the struggling employee, especially if that individual was formerly a valuable asset to the company.
A better solution for many employers is to offer their employees assistance in handling their personal issues, so that they can improve their situations and regain their former level of productivity and value to the company. EAPs can provide that assistance. Once an EAP is implemented, it can help the employer attract and retain employees, lower health care and disability claims costs, increase productivity and morale and lower absenteeism.
In addition, any government contractors or employers receiving federal grants are required to maintain a drug-free workplace. Part of fulfilling that requirement can include an EAP with a drug-free component that offers education, awareness, testing and counseling.
Designing an EAP
EAPs can vary from employer to employer, but most have common elements. Some programs are limited and stick to alcohol and drug abuse, but many programs offer expanded services that address a variety of areas in an employee’s life. The most important consideration is whether the problems and issues covered are ones that adversely affect the employee’s job performance. Typical issues addressed include:
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Divorce/marital problems
- Stress management
- Crisis intervention
- Child care/eldercare
- Eating disorders
- Gambling addiction
- Psychological or psychiatric problems
- Financial or legal problems
- Consultation services and training for managers regarding employee performance
To read this full article please visit this link: Plan Design EAPs
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