Mental well-being is no longer just a trend. It is now a top employer concern, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Mental health issues can cause increased absenteeism, avoidable mistakes, and missed deadlines. However, many Canadians still struggle to get timely and appropriate mental health care. Public health insurance only covers care from doctors and hospitals.
As a result, job seekers are now looking for positions that offer comprehensive mental health benefits. Companies are eager to create effective mental health strategies, with employee assistance programs (EAPs) crucial to this effort. If you run a small business, knowing how EAPs work, whether in-house or outsourced and what to expect is essential. This article will give you all the critical information about Employee Assistance Programs.

The Significance of Mental Health Coverage in Employee Retention and Satisfaction

Post the Covid-19 pandemic. Numerous employers grapple with business recovery while their workforce endure severe emotional trauma. In Canada, this grim reality is starkly reflected in statistics:

• One in five Canadians experience mental illness during their lifetime.
• Around 70% of mental illnesses first surfaced in childhood or adolescence.
• An estimated 10-20% of young Canadians battle mental illness.
• Approximately 8% of adults suffer from major depression.
• A significant 5% of Canadians grapple with anxiety.

Given the mounting concern surrounding mental health problems, conventional solutions like implementing a 4-day work week or mental health week have proven insufficient. Employees now demand a nurturing and sustainable work environment. Consequently, employers must consider holistic approaches like Mental Health Coverage or Employee Assistance Programs to foster employee satisfaction and retention.

A Comprehensive Guide to Employee Assistance Programs

Unravelling the Employee Assistance Program

Derived from industrial alcoholism programs of the 1940s, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has evolved into a confidential, short-term counselling and referral service to aid employees facing personal difficulties that impede their work performance. It constitutes an integral component of an overarching company wellness plan for employees.

EAP Coverage Overview

EAPs typically offer employees and their families opportunities to seek professional advice on the following matters:

• Resolving relationship difficulties, including conflicts, harassment, and communication issues.
• Handling family situations such as family violence, divorce, childcare, eldercare, parenting challenges, or adoption assistance.
• Addressing substance abuse (alcohol or drug) and traumatic events (accidents or separation and loss).
• Offering healthcare consulting on long-term, critical illnesses, disability challenges, or death.
• Providing professional development opportunities, including education programs, soft skills courses, and leadership coaching.
• Assisting with work-life balance matters such as job stress, career transitions, or travel.
• Offering additional services such as retirement planning, financial advice, fitness guidance, and more.

EAP Functionality

Employers may extend EAP benefits not only to employees but also to their family members or anyone residing in their households, often at little or no cost. Counselling services are accessible via various means, such as phone, email, live chat, video counselling, or face-to-face sessions. While some companies collaborate with insurance carriers to design plan offerings with various services, others prefer to maintain the entire EAP in-house.

It is essential to note that costs will vary based on the chosen setup. Soliciting input from employees aids in determining the most suitable EAP for a particular business.

In-house Approach

Prominent corporations with substantial resources often provide in-house employee assistance programs encompassing amenities such as cafeterias, daycares, on-site gyms, mental health counsellors, and other wellness services. A prime example is Google, which offers numerous employee services. While these in-house offerings enhance employee well-being, they can also incur considerable monthly expenses, deterring most small businesses from adopting an in-house EAP.

Third-party Outsourcing

In this EAP model, employers collaborate with external vendors or third-party providers to operate the program. The third-party service providers may charge either a set fee or a pay-per-use fee. The set fee simplifies budgeting but may entail paying for services underutilized by employees. On the other hand, the pay-per-use fee can lead to cost savings but might prove more expensive to scale up.

However, businesses are open to more than standard options and can explore tailored EAP requests that better suit their needs and budgets. Reliable providers offer therapy services, development programs, certified mental health counsellors, and additional support as required. Most small businesses opt for the third-party setup, emphasizing the importance of selecting a reputable provider that offers optimal services. Several Employee Benefits Providers in Canada are worth considering in this regard.

Core Principles of EAP

Three Core Principles of the Role of EAP

1. Job-Based Strategy: This perspective acknowledges that employees’ issues that impact the organization are worthy of concern, and managers should offer assistance to help resolve them.
2. Constructive Confrontation: Managers can aid employees in reversing poor performance by facilitating constructive confrontations. EAP’s consulting services help individuals identify and address personal issues that negatively affect their work performance.
3. Resource Exhaustion Support: EAP policies extend support to employees facing problems beyond their control, significantly when their resources have been depleted.

Six Principles of Developing the Best EAP

1. Organizational Needs Assessment: Employers should design EAPs that align with their organizational requirements, considering workforce demographics, size, and employee families.
2. Comprehensive and Accessible Services: EAP offerings should be made available through various accessible channels such as apps, newsletters, and websites catering to foreign employees and individuals with disabilities.
3. Standards for EAP Personnel: Employers must establish benchmarks for EAP personnel, ensuring relevant experience and qualifications. Providing training to support worker well-being is essential.
4. Promoting EAP Services: Employers should encourage employees to utilize EAP services through word-of-mouth, educational events, and other promotional endeavours.
5. Monitoring EAP Performance: Regular reports and performance metrics facilitate effective EAP monitoring and assessment.
6. Impact Evaluation: EAP services’ impact on employees must be evaluated, considering factors like workplace well-being improvement, retention rates, claims costs, and more.

Key Indicators of Successful EAP Implementation

Confidentiality of EAP Services

Confidentiality stands as the cornerstone of a successful EAP. While amenities like on-site gyms and masseuses are beneficial, many EAP services necessitate dealing with sensitive medical information. Mental health counsellors must uphold strict privacy policies and refrain from disclosing limited information without the employee’s consent. This confidentiality extends to in-house medical professionals as well.

Credibility of Counselors

Trust forms the foundation of a counselor-employee relationship. When employees trust their counsellors, they are more inclined to share information that aids in therapy openly. Hence, a professional counsellor exhibits empathy, ensuring employees feel heard and understood. Employers should prioritize counsellors possessing relevant certifications and credentials to foster a positive and enduring relationship in creating a harmonious workplace.

Round-the-clock Availability

Research indicates that one in three Canadians, roughly 9.1 million people, will endure mental illness for the rest of their lives. This underscores the importance of crisis assistance, necessitating employers to make Employee Assistance Programs available at all times through various mediums, from online platforms to offline channels. This 24/7 accessibility ensures employees and their family members can connect with counsellors whenever needed.

Ease of Access

Employers have numerous options to design easily accessible EAPs. Some of the approaches include:

• Introducing a well-being app or an employee portal that grants access to a plethora of helpful resources without limitations.
• Maintaining a diverse range of constantly updated resources on legal and financial advice, healthy diet plans, and well-being coaching.
• Offering flexible counselling services, be it online, face-to-face, or phone-based.

Establishing Mindfulness Labs where employees and managers can engage in mindfulness practices to alleviate workplace stress.