Human beings function as biopsychosocial entities. This means that we are a composite of biological, psychological and social factors as a whole. Therefore, in order to be able to function in various everyday environments, such as at work, we make use of each of these factors, it is impossible to separate them!
In addition, we have important individual differences that distinguish us from the rest. It’s no secret that many employers don’t know how to handle all this with their employees and can find themselves in some adverse situations. This is when Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) come into play and become a necessity.
For example, in the not too distant past, employers often expected their employees to put their personal problems aside when it came time to work. It’s very old-fashioned thinking and not at all justified. Today, however, things are evolving for the better.
More and more employers are realizing that this old adage is unrealistic and that working while ignoring employees’ mental health is detrimental. In fact, it has very negative side effects that can lead to other major problems such as stress, depression, anxiety, dependencies, addictions and more.
On behalf of Lewer Canada, we would like to talk a little bit about Employee Assistance Programs: what they are, what their function is and why they are important in every company. We are experts in the area of benefit products such as life insurance and, indeed, we are an EAP provider in Canada.
What is EAP and why is it important in a company?
We have been talking about these interesting programs, but, so far, we have not mentioned the meaning of EAP. That is, we have mentioned it only superficially. Well, in simple words it is a resource that companies use to support employees (and, in most cases, their families).
The idea of the Employee Assistance Program is to enable employees to cope with the challenges and stresses that negatively affect their lives and, in turn, productivity and performance in the workplace. It is a proposal that emerged in the 1940s, with slightly different purposes, but has evolved into what we know now.
In the past, a company’s focus was on specific and limited concerns: its productivity. Today, the EAP program provides support for most personal problems: marital or family concerns, gambling and dependencies, addictions of various kinds, mental health, and so on.
The importance of EAPs is obvious. Employee wellness should be one of the most important issues in any workplace. After all, mental health is just as important as physical health or other problems.
Fortunately, having at least one EAP advisor, or the possibility of accessing EAP advice in companies, is now gradually becoming the norm.
What kind of assistance do EAPs provide?
The Employee Assistance Program is designed to provide short-term counseling for employees. A good example might be teaching employees how to develop coping skills for specific situations.
It should be emphasized that they do not replace long-term treatment for serious problems. However, they provide an excellent starting point for someone looking to begin the process. It is a vehicle of sorts to be able to seek help for more specific problems if needed.
With personal challenges and stress affecting businesses to the tune of thousands of dollars each year, employers are seeing genuine cost savings by implementing a quality EAP. Providing psychological support to employees can be of great benefit, and not just to them.
One thing to keep in mind is what Peter Stratton, director of staffing at Western Financial Group (in Calgary), mentions. He says that when considering the introduction of EAP services into a company, human resources professionals should consider a number of factors, such as the program’s accessibility to employees.
And such a statement could not be truer: to be successful you must always assess the quality of consulting resources, amount of coverage (in hours), cost to the company, how well the program will be used, reporting and, above all, confidentiality.
Stratton says the key services of Employee Assistance Programs often include the following:
1. Family and relationship counseling
Many people are concerned about marital difficulties, domestic violence, elder care, among others. Support can be critical for employees to perform well at all times.
2. On-site service support/advice
Emergency situations that require immediate on-site attention. It is normal that at some point there will be problems that cannot be foreseen. Being attentive to the behavior (alterations or variations in behavior) of employees will be very helpful and will make it easier to provide support.
3. Counseling on dependence problems
EAP insurance, as it is known to many, should include counseling for dependence or addiction problems. For example, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sex, gambling. These problems are more common than they seem (and are not always talked about properly). It is good to treat them in order to find an early resolution.
4. Job-related counseling
It is one of the most important parts. You should always be on the lookout for situations such as harassment, that the workplace maintains a respectful environment and that adequate information is always provided to employees (e.g., when there is a change of supervisor or organization).
5. Financial advisory services
It is no secret that many employees may find themselves facing debt problems, low budget, extra expenses, among others. It is important to know these situations first hand.
6. Legal advice
Legal problems should not be put aside either. Employees may be in the middle of a divorce, separation, child custody, and so on. It is also important to talk about this and be fully aware of it in case it could lead to major problems.
6. It should not be only for employees
While it is easy to think that EAPs are intended only for employees, a reputable program provides additional support for managers and business owners. In addition, in some cases, EAP services include care for families.
Looking for EAP services? Lewer Canada is the solution
As you have read Employee Assistance Programs are definitely a fundamental element in every company. We hope that, through this article, you have learned what you need to know about the subject and that we have cleared up any doubts you may have.
Looking for a good provider of EAP health services in Canada? Click here to learn more about our proposal in this field. You can also go to the contact section of this, our website, if you have any questions or comments.
In addition, there are additional resources to help you learn more about Employee Assistance Programs. For example, the Employee Assistance Society of North America and the Employee Assistance Professionals Association.
Remember, we are Lewer Canada. For a more personalized service, you can also find us at 3131 boul. Saint-Martin Ouest, bureau 410 Laval, Quebec. Visit our blog for more recommendations and tips like these. Learn more by reading another of our articles: What makes a good Employee Assistance Program?
