Employee Assistance Programs

Below is a comprehensive list of services that EAPs offer:

• Interventions (counseling, treatment planning, short-term problem solving)
• Problem Area Identification and Assessment
• Referrals for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Assistance
• Case Management and Follow-Up
• Crisis Hotlines
• Education (in-person events, online resources, information materials)
• Collaboration with Treatment Facilities
• Evaluations for Duty Fitness
• Back-to-Work Transition Coaching
• Coaching on Essential Leadership Skills
• Violence Prevention and Crisis Management
• Trauma and Crisis Incident Services
• Group Intervention and Support Groups
• Educational Services and Programs
• Auxiliary Services (drug-free workplace training, disability management)
• Mental Illness Services
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Intervention

EAPs can also provide services and resources for management consultation and guidance for higher standards around the workplace. This could include how to support employees and manage interpersonal issues within the workplace to more effectively promote teamwork and cooperation. Other benefits of these management programs include enhancing job performance, improve communication, and effective conflict resolution strategies.

Types of Employee Assistance Program Services

There are a number of different types of EAP service options that companies can choose between when they are enrolling in these programs. Typically, these services are dependent upon the number of employees and the return on investment provided by these services. At the end of the day, will an employee assistance program save the company money by reducing healthcare expenditures due to mental health and substance abuse conditions? Will employees utilize these services, and which services are more appealing to employees? These are things that employers have to consider when providing EAPs for their employees.

Companies can offer several different plan options with different services, including:

• Internal Programs: These offer EAP services at the workplace. This is most often found in larger companies with a lot of employees working in a concentrated location. Employers can either hire their own professionals, or they can outsource to third-party EAP employers to provide professionals for in-house services.
• External Programs: External programs require the company to refer employees and family members to outside services that fall under their offered EAP benefits. This is often more preferable as it maintains confidentiality for employees not wanting to visit in-house EAP offices.
• Blended Programs: A combination of both in-house and outside services based on convenience and services needed for individual employees. These hybrid programs allow for crisis evaluation and intervention in the office with extended care and resources taking place outside of the office.
• Management-Sponsored Programs: These programs vary depending on the company, but typically specialize in substance abuse, proactive prevention, mental health and wellness, and problem identification and referrals sponsored by management and higher-level staff.
• Member Assistance Programs: These provide access to union-supported EAP services.
• Peer-Based Programs: Mainly focused on prevention, education, training, and assistance through coworkers.

These rights are protected under federal law and are in place to ensure that employees feel comfortable when they seek help through EAP services. Utilization rates differ from company to company, however, about 75% of employers report that they offer EAP services but only 5% to 10% of employees actually utilize those services. This is due in large part to the fear that employers will find out about substance abuse or mental health conditions.