Summer is a great time for looking back on those New Year resolutions and focusing on health and well-being. For some people, it may be a means to diminish the damage caused by the excessive imbibing during the winter season, and, for others, it is a symbol of making a fresh start in a brand new year. Whatever the reason may be, an employer’s EAP or Employee Assistance Program is an effective tool in providing employees and their immediate family members with helpful resources.

An Employee Assistance Program offers 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.

“The typical return on investment is $3 or more for every $1 invested in an employee assistance program”

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.

The Takeaway:  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.