How Employee Assistance Programs Improve Businesses

05 Nov How Employee Assistance Programs Improve Businesses

As our world becomes increasingly hectic, large numbers of employees are reporting an increase in the difficulty they have balancing their work responsibilities and the pressures of personal lives. When workers feel pressed from both sides, employers often see a growth of sick time usage and illness, lackluster attitudes, and low productivity. Clearly, both employers and employees could benefit from the existence of Employee Assistance Programs (also called EAP’s.)
The earliest Employee Assistance Programs began in the late 1930’s as a way to reduce the incidence of alcoholism among workers. The primary focus of the EAP’s continued to be substance abuse for the next 40 years. In the 1970’s the role of an Employee Assistance Programs started grew to include help with anxiety, depression and other common ailments. Present day EAP’s are significantly more comprehensive, expanding coverage to include marital problems, legal issues, and financial advice. Some companies have little or no information about the ways implementing an EAP could help grow and strengthen their business. However, there are numerous benefits to employers thinking of starting an Employee Assistance Program.

• Decreased absenteeism
• Improved worker productivity
• Reduced company negativity
• Lower employee turnover
• Potentially more economical healthcare insurance rates
• Diffuse unhealthy interpersonal relations within the company creating a more harmonious and efficient workplace
• Provide professional consultations and guidance to improve workflow and efficiency
• Supports managers and employers by helping workers who would otherwise look to management for relief.