Employee assistance programs are confidential, short term programs made available in the workplace by employers for existing employees and their families. These programs aim to assist with work related or personal problems such as health, family, financial or emotional concerns (EAP Association 2006).
Employee assistance programs are considered a useful strategy in dealing with worker issues including absenteeism, high staff turnover, reduced productivity and work related injuries or illnesses. They are a service usually provided by psychologists or professional counsellors. Many organisations outsource employee assistance programs, utilising specialist providers.
Services provided
Employee assistance program services typically comprise:
- consultation (for example, resolving conflict between co-workers)
- health promotion and prevention (for example, handling work stress strategies)
- individual counselling (for example, substance abuse or drug counselling)
- training (for example, manager coaching)
One of Australia’s largest national employee assistance program providers has reported that approximately 70 per cent of their counselling work relates to personal issues (compared to work related issues), of which 40 per cent deals specifically with emotional concerns, including anxiety and depression (Donaldson 2003). These findings support the claim that employee assistance program providers provide a useful initial contact point for those employees with mental health concerns or disability who may not already have independent professional help.
Trauma counselling is another common service provided by employee assistance program providers, typically offered to police and other emergency service workers, as well as other employees who have experienced violence, armed hold ups or workplace accidents (Donaldson 2003). Immediate support of this nature is understood to reduce the likelihood of subsequent conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder.
Employee assistance program providers can also offer counselling for employees who may be experiencing difficulty adjusting to life following an injury or illness, particularly if there has been a loss in functioning.
In general, employee assistance program providers provide considerable benefit to the health and well-being of workers, which in turn serves to maximises on the job performance.
References and resources
Donaldson, C. 2003, Evolution – not revolution ... employee assistance programs, Human Resources Magazine, Dec 2003 issue, viewed 26 May 2007, <http://www.humanresourcesmagazine.com.au/articles/B9/0C01BFB9.asp?Type=60&Category=881>.
EAP Association 2006, What is an Employee Assistance Program? EAPA Australian Chapter, Melbourne, viewed 26 May 2007, <http://www.eapa.org.au/eap.asp>.