Benefits Of Employee Assistance Programs

January 13 2023 TalktoAngel 0 comments 1624 Views

Many people experience stress both inside and outside of the job. Company owners may have similar concerns, yet there are steps you can take to lessen some of the weight your employees are carrying. In the long term, providing staff resources can demonstrate just how you value your employees.

An EAP, or employee assistance program, is one indication of how you can support employees in resolving a number of issues that contribute to their stress, which can have a negative impact on their work productivity and morale. EAPs may aid in increasing employee engagement and productivity, as well as lowering absenteeism and attrition. Here's a deeper examination of why you might wish to include an EAP in your benefits package.

What exactly is an EAP?

An EAP is a confidential resource where employees can obtain assistance and resources for specific difficulties. Employees can get assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services through the program, which is typically provided as part of a broader benefits package. Depending on the circumstances, employees may be able to access certain facilities from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.

What is the Purpose of an Employee Assistance Program and Why is it Important?

Employee assistance programs are intended to connect employees with the finest resources for dealing with personal issues that may interfere with their ability to handle stress and remain productive at work. EAPs can recommend options for a variety of needs, ranging from mental health therapy to personal service savings on babysitting or insurance.

EAPs have trained personnel who can assess an employee's requirements and direct them to the right resource to meet those needs. The professionals that work with EAPs may quickly and effectively go to work for your employees, whether it's recommending a counsellor or offering a list of local photographers to relieve the stress of organizing an approaching wedding.

What is Included Under EAP Coverage?

While the specifics of each program are detailed in the plan documentation, many EAPs offer vital support for significant situations. Some of the topics and services that are frequently included in an EAP include (but are not limited to):

Mental health programs: These programs help with concerns such as depression, anxiety, grief, crisis response, and behavioral health issues such as addiction or eating disorders.

Caregiving and health: Employees may encounter additional obstacles in addition to maintaining their own health (e.g., developing a fitness plan, seeking nutrition advice, or coping with chronic disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension). Employees can seek assistance locating eldercare or daycare through an EAP.

Employees can use an EAP to find eldercare or daycare providers, nursing homes, or even an in-network physician for a kid attending school out-of-state.

Family services: All households can benefit from assistance in some form. EAP marriage counselling programs, family planning, and child safety are all accessible.

Counseling referrals: Having widely accessible, confidential support from experienced specialists for personal, family, and work-related concerns is one of the overriding advantages of an employee assistance program. Assessments, remote short-term help, and referrals are all examples of counselling services.

Substance abuse: Chemical dependency, addiction, gambling, alcoholism, and crisis intervention are just a few examples of how EAP support from a qualified professional or the Best Psychologist in India may create a positive and possibly life-changing effect.

Financial services: EAP services can connect employees with resources to help them improve their financial well-being, such as budgeting assistance, developing good spending habits, loan consolidation, debt payback, and building up an emergency fund, among other things.

Workplace issues: Managing workplace stress and duties, planning vacation plans or managing relationships with co-workers are all examples of how an EAP can assist employees with work-related concerns and help prevent or overcome burnout.

What is the Process of an Employee Assistance Program?

The exact offerings of an EAP differ depending on the program's plan documents. An EAP, on the other hand, often includes your employees as well as eligible household members such as a spouse, domestic partner, children, or other dependents.

EAPs frequently maintain a network of partners, such as law companies, childcare providers, elder care specialists, dietitians, fitness experts, and others, who can assist with a variety of requirements. With an EAP, your employees and qualifying members of the household have access to a confidential resource they can call when dealing with crises or normal life management issues.

The services provided may range from on-call counsellors to connections to community resources that can assist them in resolving their problems. Members also have access to an online library of free services and self-help tools. Care counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all communications are private and confidential.

A mix of a health insurance policy and an EAP, on the other hand, could be beneficial.

The Advantages of an EAP

When your employees' capacity to deal with life's obstacles exceeds their ability to perform, it can have a detrimental influence on both their efficiency and results. Adequate support can assist employees in managing stress and issue-solving, perhaps minimizing the adverse impact on the company's bottom line and overall morale.

Stress Reduction

Employees around the country are currently coping with stress, whether it is the lingering impact of the pandemic, working at home and juggling work/life balance, dealing with health concerns, needing to care for children, or working long hours. Employees can benefit from an employee assistance program to help them manage their stress levels even during difficult times.

Decrease of Absenteeism

Absences and stress are inextricably linked. When you add this to the myriad factors that could already be keeping people away from work — such as being caretakers or becoming ill — absenteeism may become a severe problem. An EAP can assist an employee in locating services that can save time and reduce harmful stress levels. Having such tools available can have a good impact on time management and energy levels throughout the workday.

For further assistance, you can connect with the Top Psychologist in India and take Online Counselling for your workplace issues at TalktoAngel India’s no.1 digital health well-being platform.

Contributed by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri Clinical Psychologist and Life Coach & Ms. Varshini Nayyar