When employees aren’t feeling their best, productivity declines, absenteeism rises, and turnover increases. Depression alone accounts for a 35% reduction in productivity, while more than 75% say work pressures cause them emotional distress. More than half say that distress affected their ability to do their job well.
Offering support programs that address mental health and personal challenges benefits not only the employee but the employer as well. Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are confidential, employer-sponsored services that support employees’ mental health, financial stability and life challenges.
For small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), EAPs are cost-effective, high-value employee benefits that level the playing field with larger competitors. PrestigePEO offers EAPs as an additional service through National EAP and simplifies setup, communication and ongoing utilization, making it easy for businesses to offer these valuable programs, especially during Open Enrollment.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What an EAP is, how it works and how confidentiality protects employees
- What EAPs typically cover, including short-term counseling, crisis support, legal and financial consultations, work-life resources, manager support and referrals for alcohol and substance abuse
- Why EAPs matter for SMBs, from talent attraction and retention to engagement, productivity and cost-effective ROI
- How PrestigePEO drives utilization with integrated communications during Open Enrollment and throughout the year, and how to get started with your Human Resources Business Partner
What Is an Employee Assistance Program?
An EAP is a voluntary, confidential support service for employees and their households to manage personal and work-related challenges. These programs are accessible 24/7 via phone, website or mobile app and enable employees to seek help whenever needed.
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of EAPs. Employees can seek help knowing that only de-identified usage data is shared with employers. This privacy assurance encourages use and helps foster a workplace culture where employees feel supported, valued and safe.
What Do EAPs Typically Cover?
EAPs offer a wide range of services that cater to the diverse needs of employees. These typically include:
- Short-term counseling for issues such as stress, anxiety, and grief, crisis support and critical incident response.
- Legal and financial consultations that guide the management of personal finances and navigating legal challenges.
- Referrals for alcohol and other drug abuse treatment.
- Work-life resources, such as caregiver support and childcare referrals.
- Manager resources, including consultations and conflict mediation.
This all-in-one approach gives employees and leaders the right resources when they need them most. Your PrestigePEO HRBP can help you confirm any specifics needed.
Why EAPs Matter for SMBs
For SMBs, offering EAPs can be a game-changer. They provide a competitive edge in talent attraction and retention, helping smaller businesses compete with larger employers. When employees feel supported, they are more likely to be engaged, building trust and loyalty within the organization.
This increased engagement translates to higher productivity and a more positive work environment. By addressing personal stressors, EAPs help ensure that these issues do not negatively impact work performance, which increases productivity and reduces absenteeism.
From a financial perspective, EAPs represent a modest investment with significant business returns, making them a cost-effective solution for improving employee well-being and organizational success.
The Business Case for Adding an EAP with PrestigePEO
Despite the benefits of EAPs, many programs go underutilized due to poor communication. PrestigePEO ensures clients see real value by integrating strong communications during Open Enrollment and throughout the year. We make sure employees know about these services and feel encouraged to use them.
By focusing on utilization and ROI, PrestigePEO helps businesses maximize the impact of their EAPs, so employees actually benefit from the support available to them. This focus enhances the value of the EAP and contributes to a positive workplace culture where employees feel supported and valued.
Make Employee Support Simple This Open Enrollment
EAPs are a low-effort, high-impact employee benefit that can strengthen culture and performance. By offering EAPs, SMBs can demonstrate their commitment to supporting their employees’ mental health and personal challenges.
PrestigePEO makes it simple to add and promote EAPs as part of your Open Enrollment strategy.
There’s no better time to speak with PrestigePEO about expanding your employee benefits package. Contact us to add EAP services through National EAP today.
