Employee Assistance Program
The success of any business, large or small, depends in large part on its employee productivity. When employee’s personal problems follow him or her to work, the success of a business may be adversely affected. That is why many businesses of all sizes now offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Employers realize that the personal well-being and positive emotional health of their employees contribute to higher levels of productivity, just as intensifying personal problems can impair job performance.
An EAP is an employer-sponsored program for employees and their immediate family members (dependents) that offers help with personal problems that can and do affect work.
Features of the EAP include:
- Evaluations to determine the best course of treatment
- Crisis intervention
- Early help for troubled workers
Why have an EAP?
- Alcohol and other drug abuse cost businesses over $100 billion annually
- Depressed employees cost business in excess of $25 billion annually
- 85% of industrial accidents are stress or drug/alcohol related
- Absenteeism is five to six times higher among individuals with personal problems
- Problem employees are three to four times more likely to file medical claims and five times more likely to file workers' compensation claims than other employees
- Mental health problems are consistently among the three leading causes of hospitalization in the U.S.