Employee assistance programs

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Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are employee benefit programs offered by many employers, typically in conjunction with a health insurance plan. EAPs are intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health, and well-being. EAPs generally include assessment, short-term counseling and referral services for employees and their household members.

Employees

Employees and their household members may use EAPs to help manage issues that could adversely impact their work and personal lives. EAP counselors typically provide assessment, support, and if needed, referrals to additional resources. The issues for which EAPs provide support vary, but examples include

substance abuse
emotional distress
major life events, including births, accidents and deaths
health care concerns
financial or legal concerns
family/personal relationship issues
work relationship issues
concerns about aging parents

An EAP's services are usually free to the employee or household member, having been pre-paid by the employer. In many cases, an employer contracts with a third-party company to manage its EAP. Confidentiality is maintained in accordance with privacy laws and professional ethical standards. Employers usually do not know who is using their employee assistance programs, unless there are extenuating circumstances and the proper release forms have been signed. In some circumstances, an employee may be advised by management to seek EAP assistance due to job performance or behavioral problems. This practice raises concerns for some, who believe that the EAP may place the employer's interests above the health and well-being of the employee.

Not all states require such EAP providers to be licensed. As a result, the options for an employee who is dissatisfied with his or her EAP experience may be more limited than with a traditional health insurance provider. Some argue that more government oversight and greater involvement from consumer advocacy groups is essential to ensure employees receive fair treatment by EAP providers.

Employers

Some studies indicate that offering EAPs may result in various benefits for employers, including lower medical costs, reduced turnover and absenteeism, and higher employee productivity and morale. However, there is some dispute as to whether such studies are impartial and scientifically valid, particularly those studies performed by the EAP providers themselves. EAPs may also provide other services to employers, such as supervisory consultations, support to troubled work teams, training and education programs, and critical incident services.

External links

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