The benefits of having an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) are well-documented. EAPs can improve employee productivity, reduce absenteeism, decrease health care costs, and increase employee retention. If your company doesn’t already have an EAP in place, now is the time to implement one. Here are five ways to expand your EAP to get the most out of it.
Offer Financial Planning Services
Your employees’ financial well-being can significantly impact their stress levels and job performance. Offer financial planning services as part of your EAP so your employees can get the help they need. Here are some great options:
Investing
Most Americans have a stake in the stock market, and your employees shouldn’t be left out. By offering investing services as part of your EAP, you can help your employees secure their financial future.
Retirement Planning
It’s never too early to start thinking about retirement. Help your employees plan for retirement by offering retirement planning services as part of your EAP.
Debt Management
If your employees struggle with debt, it’s likely impacting their job performance. Offer debt management services as part of your EAP to get your finances back on track.
Credit Counseling
Credit counseling can help employees improve their credit scores and get out of debt. Offer credit counseling services as part of your EAP to help your employees manage their finances. It might even help them buy a home of their own.
Financial planning is an essential service that should be a part of your EAP. Many applicants will seek this, so ensure you have it in your company.
Provide On-Site Childcare
Finding quality childcare can be a significant source of stress for working parents. Offer on-site childcare as part of your EAP so that working parents can have one less thing to worry about. On-site childcare will not only reduce stress for employees, but it will also increase productivity and loyalty to your company.
You can provide this by partnering with a local daycare or setting up your on-site childcare facility. For example, Google has an on-site childcare center for its employees. This helped the company increase overall productivity and engagement.
Offer Elder Care Resources
As the Baby Boomer generation ages, more and more employees will find themselves caring for elderly parents or other family members. Offer elder care resources as part of your EAP so these employees can get their needed help. Here are some elder care resources you should offer:
Home Care
Many elderly people need assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Home care services can help employees caring for elderly parents or other family members.
Respite Care
Respite care is temporary care that is provided to give caregivers a break. Offer respite care services as part of your EAP so employees can take a much-needed break from caregiving.
Adult Day Care
Adult daycare centers provide supervision and activities for elderly adults during the day. This can be an excellent option for employees caring for elderly parents or other family members.
Elder care is an integral part of your EAP. Many employees will find themselves in the position of caring for elderly parents or other family members. Offer elder care resources as part of your EAP so these employees can get their needed help with elderly care.
Provide Legal Services
Often, legal problems can be a major source of stress for employees. Offer legal services as part of your EAP so your employees can get help with matters such as divorce, child custody, wills, and bankruptcies. This will not only reduce stress for employees but will also increase productivity and loyalty to your company.
Mental Health Services
Lastly, you need to offer mental health services. Mental health is a big deal for many U.S. employees, so here are some great options when offering these services to employees:
Bereavement
Often, employees will experience grief and bereavement. Grief and bereavement services can help employees deal with the death of a loved one. They can help the employee move on and find purpose in their work in your company. They can be a crucial investment that can help employees at a very difficult time in their lives.
Stress Management
Stress is a common problem for many employees. Stress management services can help your employees cope with stress. These services can include counseling, yoga, meditation, or anything that can help your employees relax.
Employers who provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) the many benefits that it can offer to the company. To get the most out of your EAP, consider expanding it to cover various needs of employees. By doing this, you can reduce stress for your employees and increase loyalty to your company.
