What does an employee assistance programme do?

An employee assistance programme provides employees with free and confidential support for personal and work-related issues that impede their day-to-day life or work responsibilities.

EAP counselling can be accessed via phone, online, or in-person by a qualified professional. Support isn’t restricted for employees—their family members could benefit from EAP services, too.

Support could range from advice relating to mental health, financial struggles, addiction, and legal matters. The aim of an employee assistance programme is improving employees’ overall wellbeing.

What are five reasons your business should consider an EAP?

1. Increased productivity and performance

Employees struggling with personal or work-related issues will likely see their performance dip significantly. An EAP scheme can act as an early intervention for stress, as well as other issues, resolving matters efficiently and protecting operationality.

Through addressing mental and practical obstacles that may hinder employees’ performance, EAP services support productivity. In fact, research suggests companies will see a 24% increase in productivity.

Presenteeism, which is when employees are physically at work but disengaged due to other issues, is a cost employers overlook. Studies demonstrate that following EAP counselling, engagement improves by 6.3%, whilst presenteeism decreases by over 25%.

Stress and burnout slow the brain’s ability to process information, as well as hampering decision-making. An EAP helps with coping strategies and reduces the cognitive load from stress.

2. Reduced absenteeism and turnover costs

Costing companies billions annually, with much of this attributed to work-related stress, unplanned absences are a burden for businesses.

In the United Kingdom, when including the loss of productivity and replacement cover, the average cost of a single day is estimated at £538. Across a large business, an EAP scheme can prevent roughly 14 million sick days.

By offering a 24/7 employee assistance programme, staff can connect with an EAP counsellor whenever suits them. This is particularly advantageous given high waiting lists for mental health support.

3. Better engagement and morale

When an employee recognises their employer values their wellbeing, it creates a culture of care. With a supported workforce, motivation and morale is improved, which contributes to meeting business goals.

Another benefit of having employees who feel their wellbeing is supported is loyalty. Research shows that supported staff are three times more likely to be engaged at work, which equates to a 77% probability of employees staying with a company for at least two more years.

Unfortunately, mental health can be viewed as a taboo topic. An EAP provides a safe space that encourages dialogue and goes a long way to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.

If you want to bolster support your staff, download our free employee wellbeing policy template here.

4. Access to expert support

Addressing mental health issues is key, therefore, support transcends a simple EAP helpline. Instead, an EAP scheme offers extensive, specialist guidance for a range of matters.

Some EAP providers offer interventions like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), which educates staff about possible triggers and how to mitigate them. Employees with specific needs, like neurodiversity support, including ADHD or autism, can be paired with specialist EAP counsellors.

Presenteeism is problematic for employers. Financial and legal stresses contribute to this. However, with expert legal guidance and financial coaching, employees get the support they need, be hat family law or debt management.

5. Promotes workplace safety

Stress and personal problems lead to distractions and therefore amplifies the chance of workplace accidents. When stress is managed, focus is sharper, and accidents are reduced.

Workplace environments can become tense, EAP counselling offers mediation to diffuse strained relationships, ensuring that matters don’t deteriorate further and become physical.

Traumatic events and workplace accidents may have lasting effects on staff—but this can be reduced with prompt intervention and support through an EAP. Should employees require time off following off such occurrences, an EAP helps facilitate a safe return-to-work with psychological support.

Final say: What does an employee assistance programme do?

Multifaceted, an EAP has several functions. Whether it’s increasing productivity whilst reducing absenteeism, improving morale amongst the workforce, access to specialist support, or solidifying workplace safety.

However, taking the aforementioned into account, the prime objective of EAP services is to support the mental health needs of employees.