What Are the Benefits of an Employee Assistance Program?

Creating a workplace where employees thrive and maximize their potential requires a delicate balance of well-being and return on investment (ROI). One way to strike this balance is by implementing a proven Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — an employer-sponsored benefit covering mental health counseling, crisis intervention, financial and legal referrals and work-life resources for employees and their families. EAPs help employees overcome challenges, improve their quality of life and achieve more at work. 

This guide reveals how an EAP can benefit your workplace and everyone in it.

Benefits of EAPs for Employees

An EAP helps employees enjoy greater well-being in almost every area of life, from home to work, through benefits like:

• Mental health counseling and crisis intervention: EAPs connect employees with master’s-level counselors for support with stress, anxiety, depression, substance use and other mental health challenges. These counseling services are vital, since 90% of employees report that workplace stress affects their mental health. Choose an EAP with 24/7 crisis response interventions for employees and their families, reducing the risk of escalation and supporting faster recovery.
• Work-life balance resources: EAPs offer resources for child care, eldercare, relocation and daily living needs, which can help improve work-life balance and long-term job satisfaction.
• Caregiver support: EAPs help employees manage the demands of caring for children, aging parents or loved ones with severe disabilities. One study found that employees whose caregiving responsibilities affect their work lose around a third of their total productivity because of these conflicting responsibilities. EAPs help to solve this problem by connecting employees to vetted caregiving resources, easing the burden and improving work-life balance.
• Flexible access: Digital tools and mobile apps let employees connect with support wherever they are, ensuring they can access the EAP benefits they need at all times.
• Financial wellness: EAPs provide confidential sessions with financial coaches to help with budgeting, debt and retirement planning. These sessions can help reduce financial stress, which impacts work output for 76% of employees. Employees can also access webinars, articles and calculators to make informed financial decisions.
• Legal referrals: EAPs offer consultation referrals with legal professionals for issues such as estate planning, family law and landlord-tenant disputes. Some EAPs also provide resource libraries with up-to-date legal information and document templates. EAP legal referrals can save employees money on legal fees and help resolve issues that would otherwise distract them from work. 
• Privacy protection: EAPs follow federal and state privacy laws and ensure all interactions remain confidential. Modern EAPs use encrypted platforms to protect sensitive information and comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This commitment to confidentiality and privacy means employees can seek help without concern for workplace stigma.

Benefits of EAPs for Employers

EAPs deliver measurable business benefits for employers, including:

• Increased productivity: Employees using EAP services are more likely to show up at work and perform to their potential. Workplaces offering EAP services see less absenteeism and increased productivity. Through early support for mental health and personal challenges, EAPs also address issues like burnout that contribute to presenteeism — when employees are at work but not effective in their roles.
• Health care savings: EAP program benefits reduce health care costs by helping employees manage stress, mental health challenges and lifestyle factors that lead to health care claims. Access to counseling and wellness resources prevents costly medical interventions and hospitalizations. Protecting employee health is one way EAPs save companies $5-$16 for every $1 invested. 

• Improved engagement: Employees who feel that their organization supports their well-being are 4.4 times as likely to be engaged at work, which can have downstream benefits for productivity, retention and workplace culture. EAPs provide training and support for managers, helping them address team dynamics, conflict and morale to keep employee engagement high.
• Attracting and retaining talent: Access to EAP services improves retention, as employees feel supported and can access the help they need to overcome work-life obstacles. An EAP also signals a commitment to employee well-being, strengthening your employer brand and helping to attract top talent.
• Crisis management support: EAPs equip leaders with the tools to guide teams through challenging events, and can provide immediate support during workplace crises like accidents, violence or natural disasters. These urgent professional interventions can help employees recover and return to productivity sooner.
• Regulatory compliance: EAPs can help employers meet legal requirements for health care, mental health support, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and HIPAA, and adherence to workplace safety standards. A top EAP will go beyond minimum compliance requirements to provide proactive employee support and create a culture of holistic well-being.
• Risk mitigation: Proactive EAP support for issues like substance use, harassment and workplace conflict can minimize the risk of costly litigation and reputational harm.

Benefits of EAPs for Organizations

EAPs drive organization-wide improvements, adding up to measurable ROI. These include:

• Cultural benefits: Implementing an EAP shows that employee well-being is a core value at your company, building a culture of wellness, resilience and support. This culture can contribute to improved employee morale and workplace satisfaction. 
• Financial impact: The U.S. Department of Labor reports the average return on investment employers get from EAPs to be between 5:1 and 16:1. Some of the benefits of EAPs that have the greatest influence on ROI include reductions in absenteeism and accidents, as well as improvements in health and productivity as key contributing factors.
• Recruitment advantages: Offering a comprehensive EAP differentiates your organization. The American Psychiatric Association found that 81% of employees will prioritize employer support for their mental health in future job searches. By providing resources for employees at every life stage, EAPs also make your organization attractive to a broader talent pool.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI): Today’s leading EAPs offer multilingual services, culturally competent counselors and resources tailored to diverse employees. EAP employee benefits help close gaps in access to mental health and wellness support, advancing organizational DEI.

Experience the EAP Advantage With AllOne Health

EAPs are a strategic investment in your people and your organization’s future. If you’re ready to create a more resilient and productive workplace by elevating every aspect of employee well-being, partner with AllOne Health.    

With decades of experience, a national network of over 60,000 providers, and a tech-forward, always-on approach, AllOne Health’s EAP delivers tangible benefits for employees, employers and organizations. Our integrated “whole health” solution combines mental, physical and financial wellness with industry-leading customer service to maximize every employee’s potential to thrive. Over 9,300 clients trust our EAP and integrated whole health solutions for proven outcomes, iron-clad confidentiality and inclusive access. You can trust us to empower your workforce.

Request a quote from AllOne Health today and bring whole-person wellness to your organization.