Employee Assistance Program

What is an Employee Assistance Program?

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a system for identifying and motivating employees with personal problems to seek help for the solution of their problems, particularly when those problems affect job performance and attendance. An EAP provides short term counseling and referral services covering (but not limited to):

• Marital/family/relationship problems
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Psychological/emotional stress
• Job stress
• Bereavement
• Life changes
• Child care issues
• Caring for aging parents
• Financial/legal situations

How does an EAP benefit a business?

Employees are a company’s most valuable resource. Better employee emotional health means healthier profits for employers. Companies benefit directly by improved performance; reduced absenteeism, tardiness and turnover; and decreased recruitment and training expenses.

What does the EAP do?

Early detection, intervention and treatment are the goals of the RMH Employee Assistance Program. By intervening early to resolve personal problems, most employees can quickly be restored to productivity.

How does the EAP work?

An individual can become involved in the EAP in two ways:

• An employee (or his/her dependent) recognizes he/she has a problem, calls the EAP on his/her own and schedules a confidential appointment.
• A supervisor recognizes a pattern of performance problems and refers that employee to the EAP. Information regarding the visit can only be reported to the supervisor if the employee signs a release form.

In many instances, solution-focused counseling by an experienced EAP staff member can resolve the problem. When more intensive treatment is necessary, referrals are made to appropriate specialized mental health professionals.

How does the EAP support employers?

The RMH Employee Assistance Program offers:

• Management and supervisor training;
• A treatment reporting mechanism to provide management with necessary and appropriate information, while protecting employee confidentiality mandated by state and federal law;
• Program monitoring and evaluation;
• Consultation to management; and
• Coordination with your company’s policies.

What does the EAP offer employees?

EAP provides employees with:

• An innovative orientation program to explain the EAP and how to use it;
• Emergency access to EAP personnel 24 hours a day;
• Assessment and intervention;
• Identification and referral to appropriate treatment sources;
• Treatment recommendation within the benefit structure of the company’s health plan;
• Mental health and other informational materials for payroll stuffers or company newsletters.

The RMH Occupational Health Center can assist you with the development and implementation of a comprehensive and affordable Employee Assistance Program for your company. Please call us at 540-564-5622 or 800-722-8854 for a personalized assessment of your company’s needs.