The world today is growing at an accelerated rate, and the dynamic environment presents a challenge for one to keep up with. It requires one to not only put in continued effort but also to be well aware and open to adapting and growing. While progress is always welcome, the rush and stress resulting from the lifestyle can be a major setback and have a significant impact on all aspects of life. Since work constitutes an essential part of everyone’s life, organizations today are actively seeking solutions to contribute to employee well-being.  

According to a survey conducted by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans in 2021, 81% of employers in the United States and 79% of employers in Canada allowed their employees to seek required aid through an employee assistance program (EAP). The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey of 3,412 companies in the United States in 2022 for their special report on workplace mental health and found that 73% of those companies offered an employee assistance program (EAP). More studies have reported upon the positive impacts of EAPs, and detailed insight from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, can be found here!

Mental wellness, being as important as physical health, must also be cared for. In situations as these, organizations that offer effective wellness solutions, skills, and strategies play an important role. Antarmanh: is one such organization, a wellness consultancy that works to enable employees to achieve their organizational goals within a framework of trust and inclusivity. Antarmanh: provides a number of services, including various types of counseling and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP), much like its name suggests, is a comprehensive and confidential program implemented for the benefit of the employees by supporting them and catering to their requirements with resources so that they can make it through personal or work-related challenges. These programs happen to be quite an essential component of a healthy and productive workplace.

Why are EAPs important?

EAPs happen to have quite an important role, some of which are highlighted below:

• • Supporting Employee Wellness: Employee well-being happens to be at the core of EAPs. The programs offer employees much-needed support when they encounter personal or professional difficulties, such as stress, mental health issues, or family problems. By addressing these challenges, EAPs contribute to creating a healthier work environment and adding to an organization’s success and growth.

• • Increased Productivity and Performance at Workplace: A proper mental health condition allows one to function at maximum potential. In a similar vein, studies have shown that workers who receive adequate mental and emotional support are able to maintain a higher level of concentration, engagement, and overall productivity. EAPs are therefore a significant contributor to the development of a positive workplace culture that places a premium on the wellbeing and health of its workforce while simultaneously enabling the expansion of the business.

• • Increase a company’s profitability: The return on investment (ROI) from investing in EAPs can be very high. EAPs have a beneficial effect on the company’s bottom line because they increase productivity while simultaneously reducing absenteeism, turnover, and healthcare costs. Know more about it by reading  ‘5 reasons why you should invest in workplace wellness’ .

How do EAPs work?

There are several different modes of operation for respective EAPs, each of which is determined by the needs of the business as well as the health and happiness of its workforce in proportion to its size. These can even be tailored to the specific requirements of a company in order to better meet the requirements of that particular organization.

• • In-house programs: Some businesses often decide to create and administer their EAPs internally. This strategy necessitates the allocation of dedicated resources, but it enables customization and provides for direct oversight. It takes a lot of work to put together an internal team, but in the long run, the investment is going to be worth it. It is helpful to receive active feedback from the various strategies that are being implemented, which enables these programs to be better curated over time. 

• • Fixed partnership or contract: Setting up an internal team can be a resource-intensive endeavor. If a company wants to seek professional services while investing only a fraction of the cost, partnering up with external EAP providers through fixed contracts can be an extremely efficient solution to this problem. This choice grants access to well-established services and knowledge without requiring any internal management on the part of the business.

• • Pay-per-use contract: Since the company only pays for the employee assistance programme services when they are actually used, pay-per-use contracts give the company the ability to pursue more flexibility, which is based on the requirements. This adaptable arrangement also happens to be quite cost-effective, while simultaneously ensuring that it can be scaled up.

What’s the cost of an employee assistance program?

The cost when it comes to the implementation of an EAP varies significantly depending on several factors. These include:

• • The size of the concerned organization

• • The scope of services being offered 

• • Choice of an in-house team, fixed partnership, or pay-per-use model of service

Whatever the costs involved, EAPs always happen to be a cost-effective investment that yields a positive ROI due to their impact on employee well-being, productivity, and overall organizational growth.

How can you establish an employee assistance program at your workplace?

1. Ask employees what kind of support they need the most: Conducting surveys can be quite helpful when it comes to better understanding Employee requirements and catering to them. Hence, beginning with a survey or perhaps focusing on groups to understand the existing pressing issues and relevant challenges that the employees face can make for a good start. The feedback obtained can significantly help tailor the EAP to the best of their preferences.

2. Determine how you want to offer your EAP: Choose between developing an internal programme with an in-house team and an investment of resources, keeping a long-term vision in mind, collaborating with an outside provider for long service, or using a pay-per-use contract. The budget needs to be considered in these ventures, as do factors such as the requirements of the company and organizational goals, when making the decision.

Frequently Asked Question’s

What does EAP mean?

EAP is an acronym for Employee Assistance Program. These happen to be support programs implemented in organizations by employers to aid their employees during difficult times in addressing personal or work-related challenges. These happen to value employee privacy and ensure the maintenance of sound mental health and a healthy work environment.

What is the EAP process?

The EAP process typically entails a number of steps, beginning with determining the needs of employees via seeking active feedback and conducting surveys. It is followed by choosing or creating an EAP, ensuring it is put into place, and making sure to spread awareness among the employees so they know where to opt for help in times of need. Continuous evaluation and improvement also happen to constitute a significant part of the procedure, contributing to further improvement of the process.

How do I set up an EAP?

Assessing employee needs is the first step in setting up an EAP. Next, select a suitable delivery strategy, be it internal, collaborative, or pay-per-use, and opt for the specific services to be provided. Once implemented, ensure that the employees are aware of the EAP and how to use its resources. Analyze the program’s success frequently and adjust it as necessary to meet changing demands.