What are EAP services?

An Employee Assistance Program is a resource provided by employers or unions to enhance the mental and physical health and productivity of employees. Programs vary in breadth, ranging from single-focus programs such as employee substance abuse programs to broad, proactive programs that provide a wide range of services to employees, employers and their families.

Function

• EAPs work with supervisors and managers to identify problems that affect the employee at the workplace, and to provide confidential assistance to the employee in dealing with the problems. EAPs will sometimes have in-house programs, but generally refer the employee to counseling and treatment professionals within the community. The purpose of the program is to help the employee address personal and family problems and then return to full productivity at work.

Types of Problems

• EAP programs assist employees and their family members with substance abuse, mental health, family issues, work-related stress, work-conflict and work-related trauma.

Types of Programs

• Programs provided include alcohol, tobacco and drug treatment programs, anger management, stress management, conflict resolution, post-traumatic incident counseling and individualized counseling to address particular needs of the employee or her family members.

Prevention and Health Maintenance Optimization

• Many EAPs model themselves after Health Maintenance Optimization programs and attempt to maximize employee health and productivity through preventive interventions. They offer support proactively to assist employees before health and work productivity issues begin.

Cost

• EAP services are provided at no cost to employees. The cost of the services is usually contracted and covered by the employer or union, who subsidize the services because they ultimately save money because of enhanced employee productivity.

Duration

• Typically, treatment provided through EAPs is problem-focused and short-term. If the employee or family member requires longer or more intensive services, they often can continue with the same provider, but the employee or the employee's health insurance will have to cover the costs of additional treatment.