What is an Employee Assistance Programme?

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) are employee benefit programmes offered by many employers. EAP are intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health and wellbeing. Furthermore, EAP generally include assessment, short-term counselling, and referral services for employees and their immediate family – wherever they are in the world.

The Benefits of an Employee Assistance Programme

Making employees aware that the business offers an Employee Assistance Programme shows them that you care about their wellbeing. In addition, this can lead to employees being more engaged and may also boost morale.

EAP also helps you discover problems within your business and gives you the opportunity to resolve these problems.

Counselling

Employee Assistance programmes help employees to overcome personal problems that are effecting their job and every day life. In addition, an EAP offers short-term counselling and recommended services that may help employees and their family members.

Work related issues and mental health can have an adverse affect on employees performance and attendance. In addition, offering short-term counselling can be a great way to help employees get back on track.

Counselling is all about providing a safe place for your team to talk about things in their life that’s affecting them and guiding them to find their own answers and solutions. Furthermore, counselling is not about providing the answers, it’s about giving employees a confidential and supportive place to help them get back on track.

How We Can Help

There is a misconception that only the big corporate businesses can afford this type of programme. That’s not true – we’ve recently helped some SME businesses implement such a scheme and it’s been very well received by employees and also the employer. The HR Booth also have one for our team and is reassuring to know that employees can access confidential, free advice on a range of subjects.

Some of the features include:

  • 24/7 counselling and advice line
  • 24/7 health and wellbeing advice and support
  • Face to face counselling sessions
  • 24/7 personal legal advice and support
  • Financial and debt information and support
  • Bereavement support
  • 24/7 GP support online
  • Online interactive mental health tool
  • Plus much more

 

If you would like to find out more about an EAP and also how we can help you implement this into your business, please get in touch.

Indeed Free Job Posting Visibility Cuts: Employer Solutions

Indeed Free Job Posting Visibility Cuts: Employer Solutions

Many employers have relied on Indeed free job posting visibility when advertising vacancies manually, through their website, or via a recruitment platform. For years, this gave businesses, particularly SMEs, an affordable way to reach candidates on one of the UK’s...

Supporting Employees with Rising Fuel Prices

Supporting Employees with Rising Fuel Prices

Rising fuel prices continue to put pressure on both employees and employers across the UK. Figures released earlier this week showed that the average price of petrol has increased by 26.6p per litre, the highest rise since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022....

Collective Redundancy Changes: Employers Guide

Collective Redundancy Changes: Employers Guide

Collective redundancy changes are now in force, adding to the growing list of employment law reforms introduced through the Employment Rights Bill. With further updates expected throughout 2026 and 2027, it is becoming increasingly important for employers to stay...

Salary Sacrifice Schemes Redefining Employee Benefits?

Salary Sacrifice Schemes Redefining Employee Benefits?

Employee benefits have long played an important role in attracting and retaining talent. However, candidates are now looking for more than just a competitive salary. With many employees facing increasing financial pressure, employers are expected to offer benefits...

HR Services for Accountants: Supporting Business Growth

HR Services for Accountants: Supporting Business Growth

Professional services firms often operate in a fast-paced environment where balancing client demands, compliance, recruitment, and people management can quickly become overwhelming. This is especially true for growing accountancy firms that are expanding their teams,...

Fair Reasons For Dismissal: An Employers Guide

Fair Reasons For Dismissal: An Employers Guide

Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, there are five potentially fair reasons for dismissal. If you are reading this blog, you may be considering dismissing an employee and want to ensure you are handling the situation correctly. Before making any decision, it is...