Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)

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Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s) are employee benefit programs that are offered by many employers, typically in conjunction with a health insurance plan.

EAP’s are intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health, and well-being. EAP’s generally include assessment, short-term counselling and referral services for employees and their household members. Employees and their household members may use EAP’s to help manage issues that could adversely impact their work and personal lives. EAP counsellors typically provide assessment, support, and if needed, referrals to additional resources. These programs are becoming increasingly more common in today’s worksites, and as the field grows, the responsibilities of employee assistance professionals are expanding as well.
 

The issues for which EAPs provide support vary, but examples include:

  • substance abuse
  • safe working environment
  • emotional distress
  • major life events, including births, accidents and deaths
  • health care concerns
  • financial or legal concerns
  • family/personal relationship issues
  • work relationship issues
  • parenting and family care