What is EAP? How employers can boost the well-being of their workforce.

EAP stands for employee assistance programme and is a form of employee benefit and mental health support service in the workplace. EAPs offer employees the opportunity to confidentially receive free mental health support in order to reduce any stresses, boost their performance and  bring down employee absences. 

EAPs provide a variety of supportive services, like online counselling, helplines and a range of online resources, offering advice and support. Employees can make the decision to self-refer themselves to partake in counselling sessions or can even be referred by a more senior member of the team if they feel it would be genuinely beneficial.

There are a number of ways in which employee assistance programmes can provide support and peace of mind for workers. Arguably one of the most beneficial employee benefits schemes available, they put an emphasis on the importance of mental health and encourage often difficult conversations to be had. 

• Free Counselling: Whether they’re dealing with work related stress or something far more personal, EAPs offer support regardless of the circumstances. So, not only do EAPs provide support with regards to the professional setting, they can also improve employees all-round wellbeing. 
• Reduces Harassment and Bullying:  With an EAP in place, toxic working environments are far less likely to thrive. Employees are able to address inappropriate comments or behaviours with a counsellor, which can confidentially be fed back to management. 
• 24/7 Support: Many EAPs offer helpline support all day, every day. So no matter the situation, your employees will always be able to get the help they need.

As an employer, your organisation has a duty of care. This, of course, relates to their safety and physical health, as well as workplace harassment and their mental wellbeing. By implementing an EAP benefit, you’re ensuring that members of your team always have a safe space to turn to should they require support. But how else can EAPs benefit your organisation? 

• Boost Productivity: EAPs work to improve your employees mental well-being, leading to a happier and supported workforce, keen to get the job done. 
• Strengthen Loyalty: If employees feel fully supported and valued by their employer, they’re far more likely to engage and remain a part of the company. Not only does this reduce turnover costs, but it creates a positive working environment wherein staff are keen to see the organisation succeed.
• Less Absences: Sometimes, mental health problems can be just as crippling as physical ones. That’s why addressing and working to resolve these issues is so important when it comes to reducing absences. 
• Reducing Presenteeism: Presenteeism is the act of physically being at work but not being fully engaged or having something on your mind. Talking these issues over with a counsellor is proven to help clear people’s heads and let them focus on your day-to-day life.
• Helps Identify Issues: Putting an EAP service in place helps your organisation identify issues within the workplace that may need to be addressed in order to ensure employee well-being. 

Supports With Hiring: Hiring the best of the best is important across any industry, so you need to make sure that what you offer to potential employees stands out amongst competitors. Employee benefits and company reward schemes like EAPs are perfect for drawing in applicants.

If your organisation is keen to show employees just how valued they are, you may want to consider creating a benefits scheme that genuinely supports the needs of your employees. Here at Ello Group, we make use of your data to find out exactly what would benefit your employees, in terms of rewards, to boost engagement and retention, as well as acquisition. 
From dining rewards and entertainment benefits to cinema rewards and coffee shop rewards, we have all kinds of offerings for your employees to enjoy. Get in touch with Ello today to start creating your loyalty programme.