EAP White Paper
Definition of Employee Assistance Prorams
An employee assistance program (EAP) is an arrangement between a corporation, academic institution or government agency and its employees; it provides a variety of support programs for the employees. They are typically services designed to assist employees on getting help for their problems, so that they may remain on the job and be effective. Although EAPs are aimed mainly at work-related difficulties, they can also help employees with problems that originate outside the workplace when such troubles impact work attendance or on-the-job performance.
Employee assistance programs can help with a wide range of issues including but not limited to: depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, marital or relationship issues, parenting issues, grief & loss, caregiving, eldercare, coping with change, workplace issues, and self-improvement. An employee assistance program is usually a part of the employee benefits package. Employee assistance benefits are not only for the employees but are also made available to their household members.
History and Growth of employee Assistance Programs
Since 1917, employee assistance programs have provided support and assistance to employees who have work performance problems that result from some type of work or personal problem. R.M. Macy and Co. and the Northern State Power Company were the first to recognize the need and to establish EAPs. Most employee assistance programs began in the 1940s due to employer concerns about alcoholism among white-collar workers. Gradually these programs evolved and began treating mental, emotional, and financial problems, and those problems caused by alcohol and drug use.
The remarkable growth in EAPs, however, began in the early 1970s. In 1972, the Occupational Programs Office of the Federal Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offered federal grants to help increase the number of programs. Since 1986, the Certified Employee Assistance
An employee assistance program (EAP) is an arrangement between a corporation, academic institution or government agency and its employees; it provides a variety of support programs for the employees. They are typically services designed to assist employees on getting help for their problems, so that they may remain on the job and be effective. Although EAPs are aimed mainly at work-related difficulties, they can also help employees with problems that originate outside the workplace when such troubles impact work attendance or on-the-job performance.
Employee assistance programs can help with a wide range of issues including but not limited to: depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, marital or relationship issues, parenting issues, grief & loss, caregiving, eldercare, coping with change, workplace issues, and self-improvement. An employee assistance program is usually a part of the employee benefits package. Employee assistance benefits are not only for the employees but are also made available to their household members.
History and Growth of employee Assistance Programs
Since 1917, employee assistance programs have provided support and assistance to employees who have work performance problems that result from some type of work or personal problem. R.M. Macy and Co. and the Northern State Power Company were the first to recognize the need and to establish EAPs. Most employee assistance programs began in the 1940s due to employer concerns about alcoholism among white-collar workers. Gradually these programs evolved and began treating mental, emotional, and financial problems, and those problems caused by alcohol and drug use.
The remarkable growth in EAPs, however, began in the early 1970s. In 1972, the Occupational Programs Office of the Federal Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offered federal grants to help increase the number of programs. Since 1986, the Certified Employee Assistance
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