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As employers continue to find ways to attract and retain their employees, offering an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as part of their employee benefits package can be a valuable component.
What is an EAP?
An EAP is a voluntary, work-based program offering free and confidential support to employees. They address a range of personal and work-related issues, including workplace difficulties, stress, grief, eating disorders, substance abuse, debt counseling, and mental health concerns.
EAPs help employees effectively manage their personal matters as well as boost workplace productivity. They are relatively inexpensive to administer and provide employees with a variety of valuable benefits available to employees. All contact made between an employee and an EAP is strictly confidential. An employer’s EAP is an effective tool in providing employees and their immediate family members with helpful resources.
EAP benefits for employees include voluntary short-term counseling services on matters such as grief, stress, and family relationship issues, as well as free-of-charge referral services, advice on programs such as health club memberships, alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation programs, mental health specialists, and legal resources. These options and other beneficial sources provide a resource for employees and their immediate family members who may be in need of guidance regarding matters impacting their personal lives that potentially have an adverse impact on their work performance.
More employers are also investing in resources to destigmatize mental health (e.g., anti-stigma campaigns, mental health literacy training, and EAPs) and foster a culture where employees feel comfortable seeking mental health support.
Benefits of an EAP
Implementing employee resource programs demonstrates your company’s value for its team. Providing access to helpful resources, counselors, and coaches alleviates the pressure of juggling competing priorities and reduces workplace stress. This creates a more supportive and fulfilling work environment for all employees.
Other key benefits of offering an employee assistance program include:
1. Decreased Absenteeism
When you offer a program to help employees reduce stress, improve their mental health, and manage time and responsibilities better, you likely will see a reduction in absenteeism, as employees will be better equipped to handle life events that arise.
2. Employee Retention
Good benefits play a critical role in attracting top talent and retaining your current workforce. In today’s job market, job seekers are not just focused on the dollar amount a company is offering; they want to see that a company values their overall well-being. Offering an EAP is a great way for a company to demonstrate this commitment.
3. Reduced Workers’ Comp Claims
If you are in an industry that requires employees to be at their best physically, offering an EAP can help reduce workplace accidents. Employees who are less stressed are less likely to make mistakes that could lead to a claim.
Life is full of stressful and challenging events, but having reliable resources such as an Employee Assistance Program readily available to employees is a valuable addition to an employer’s benefits package.
An Easy Way to Offer an Employee Assistance Program
If you want to add an EAP to your employee benefits package, the experts at the GTM Insurance Agency can help. They’ll work with you to tailor a program to your business needs and the needs of your employees.
Contact the GTM Insurance Agency today to talk about adding this benefit to your plan. Call them at 518-373-4111 or request a free quote.
