Work takes up a large percentage of our lives--from 9 to 5 every week--and job satisfaction can be a huge contributor to overall mental health and happiness. But for many employees, even if they are content at work, their home lives will inevitably affect their ability to be productive and focused. Work and home life are intertwined, so when staff face issues in their day to day lives it’s bound to impact their work. That’s why an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can be such a helpful addition to any workspace, whether your staff is onsite or work remotely. An Employee Assistance Program benefits employees (and employers!) by helping your team stay productive and engaged, even when they are experiencing challenging times.    

How an Employee Assistance Program Benefits Employees

 
• EAPs mean fewer sick days (46.6%) – After bringing in EAP services, one study saw participants missing just 6.5 hours of work, down from 12.2 over a 30-day time period. This is important for companies too, since productivity losses from absenteeism related to stress cost employers $225.8 billion each year.
 
• Increased engagement and productivity (8%) – through stress management, employees become more excited about their work, and more able to focus on the task at hand.
 
• Happier employees (22%) -- life satisfaction jumped by 22 percent among those using their company's EAP services.
 
• Decrease in feelings of depression (Almost 80%)—A majority of EAP participants with depression reported measurable improvements in their mental health after using an EAP. This is so important, because 25% of adults have a diagnosable mental disorder. With management and support, these mental issues can be managed so that they won’t impede work.
 
• Lower alcoholism rates (from 30 to 3%)—Employees at higher risk for alcohol abuse dropped from 30% to 3% after participating in EAP treatment.
 
• Greater employee retention – A great EAP can help companies lower their turnover rates and retain their quality employees by fostering a healthier work environment.
 
• Great return on investment for the employer – In fact, EAPs deliver a $6.47 return on investment for every $1 spent.
 
• Encourages a positive work environment—Keeping people happy means avoiding escalation to potentially violent situations. Plus, enjoyable coworkers are a huge reason employees cite for why they love their jobs.
 
• Legal advice/assistance (divorce, lawsuits, executing wills etc.) – affordable resources
 
• Lower cost for medical claims—EAPs are effective treatment for many issues and are cheaper for the employer than employee health insurance.  
• Disability claims for psychiatric problems were 17 days shorter at companies where employees were provided an EAP, than at companies without EAPs. Findings were similar for musculoskeletal and cancer claims. (The Hartford Group, 2007)  
• Only 2% of employees using an EAP had a short-term disability claim turn into a long-term disability, in comparison to 9% of those who did not use an EAP and went on to file for long-term disability. (The Hartford Group, 2007)

Learn More: Checklist for Evaluating Your Employee Assistance Program

With so many benefits for employees, EAPs are a great addition to any company looking to support its employees. Of course, not all EAPs are created equally. The more user friendly your program is, the more likely your employees are to actually use it. And higher use means higher percentages than the averages we listed above! The more your staff uses their EAP’s services, the better off they’ll be. So choose an EAP that offers virtual services your staff wants (such as virtual yoga, calming guided meditation, relaxing massage instruction) plus the counseling and mental health support they need. All on a confidential, easy-to-use platform.  

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