close
THE EAP: POWERFUL AND OVERLOOKED

One of the most powerful parts of your employee benefits package is something you probably aren’t taking advantage of: an employee assistance program, or EAP.

A typical EAP provides support for everything from common daily challenges to serious family hurdles. Whether it’s mental health issues or parenting problems, financial worries or a legal question, the EAP is a great resource.

Can’t figure out how to save for your first home? Need help dealing with stress at work? Looking for someone to care for an aging parent while you’re working? Seeking some basic legal advice? An EAP can help you connect with resources for these and countless other challenges you might be facing, and it’s all free of charge.

So, if EAPs are so great, why is their utilization rate only about 3-5%? One big reason could be concerns about confidentiality. Many employees worry that talking to someone at the EAP about personal issues or financial problems will get back to their boss, or they might think HR will be informed about their reasons for reaching out.

That isn’t the case. Contacting an EAP is a completely confidential process. Nobody where you work has access to any information about EAP usage. So, if you’re stressed about finances, struggling with parenting challenges or simply feeling overwhelmed at work, you can get confidential help without spending an arm and a leg for a counselor or therapist.

But don’t think you have to be in the middle of a crisis to tap into these resources. According to the Society of Human Resource Management website, EAPs also help employees with matters like wedding planning, preparing for a new baby or even vacation planning.

And, again, these services are free of charge because your employer pays for it, typically as part of your benefits program.

How can you make use of these services? Start by learning about your company’s EAP. You likely receive information about it every year with your benefits package, but you can contact your HR team to learn more. From there, it’s typically a matter of calling a phone number or going to a website, where you’ll explain your needs and be connected to someone who can help. It’s that easy.

Download December’s Full Newsletter Here

Tags: , ,