EAP Benefits for Employees

It is estimated that an average employee working in the U.S. spends 53 working hours resolving family-related matters. This staggering figure supports the reasoning behind employer-sponsored Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).  Such programs help employees effectively manage their personal matters as well as boost workplace productivity.  EAPs 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.

EAPs provide confidential, discreet assistance to employees and their immediate families. The employer will not be notified of an employee or his/her family members’ solicitation of an EAP’s services, as the EAP is an organization that provides advice and referral services to employees independently of the company. The contact information for the EAP should be included in the literature that is disseminated during benefits enrollment periods, within the employer’s intranet website, and in the Employee and Benefits Handbooks.

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. Please contact GTM for more information.