An employee assistance program (EAP) is referred to as an adventitious program that helps employees with their personal and work-related issues that can affect their job, performance, emotional well being as well as physical and mental health.
Services by the Employee Assistance Program
An EAP employee assistance program offers a variety of services to the employees. It offers free of cost confidential services not only to the employees but to their spouses and families as well. These services include the following domains:
- Nurse advice lines
- Basic legal assistance
- Adoption assistance
- Medical benefits
- Provide support in emotional distress
- Helps to overcome occupational distress
- Concerns about parenting difficulties
- Harassments
- Loss and separation
- Balancing family and work
- Childcare and eldercare
These services are delivered through several means such as:
- Via phone
- Counselling through videos
- Online chatting
- E-mail interactions
- Face-to-face interactions
Is it an Employee Assistance Program, a Therapy?
EAP is a short-term service that requires only a few sessions to solve problems. If more specialized service is required, an EAP counsellor can assist to identify the desired expertise and help a referral in our community.
Referrals in an Employee Assistance Program
Three types of referrals are involved in EAP, which are as follows:
Self-Referral:
In this type, the employee himself calls for help.
An Informal Referral:
In this, the supervisor, co-worker, or friend recommends an employee to an employee assistance program.
A Formal Referral:
It is recommended by the supervisor based on the performance of an employee in his/her job.
What Makes an Employee Assistance Program Successful?
Several factors are involved in the success of an employee assistance program:
- Strict confidentiality
- Awareness to workers as well as managers about getting access to EAP
- EAP promotions
- Encouragements to use EAP services
- Open to employees and their families
- Commitment and recognition by workers, managers, and unions that are needed by an EAP
- Promotion of referral ( formal and informal) procedure
- Periodic evaluation to ensure that the needs of workers are being met
- Procedures and policies that are supported by workers, unions, and top management
Benefits of Employee Assistance Program
Small businesses are taking more advantage of an employee assistance program. This program offers several benefits to its employees. Some of these are discussed below:
Direct Access:
It provides direct access to the employees that can directly call the psychologist.
Quick Response:
When any problem is encountered, the counselling session for this starts immediately and happens within a few days so that the issues are resolved in a limited time.
Professional:
Counsellors are usually well-qualified and experienced psychologists that have deep expertise in human behaviour.
Confidentiality:
The employer does not know about the usage of the service. It always remains confidential.
Off-Site:
The counselling session happens at the office of a psychologist.
Direct Treatment:
When a patient needs long-term careor another specialist, it is required to make referrals.
Appropriate Coverage:
Employees have access to an EAP hotline which remains active 24 hours a day.
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