Why more businesses are implementing employee assistance and well-being programs

Washington Business Journal, "Why more businesses are implementing employee assistance and well-being programs," Adventist HealthCare LifeWork Strategies, August 10, 2020
https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2020/08/10/why-more-businesses-are-implementing-eaps.html

As more businesses focus on ways to help their employees find success inside and outside the workplace, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and well-being programs remain important benefits for employers to offer. After all, investing in employee well-being pays dividends over time in productivity, engagement and may reduce health care costs.

EAP and well-Being programs

Think about the number of hours per year a full-time employee spends at their place of business. Now think about what your organization is doing to impact the overall health and well-being of your employee population. It is important to remind employees about the value of leading a healthy lifestyle.

An EAP provides resources and services to help employees and their families balance the demands of work and life. Whereas a well-being program assists with helping employees maintain their health and well-being while balancing everyday life.

Benefits of EAP and well-being programs

When employees receive the assistance they need to be more present at work, it ultimately boosts engagement and productivity. A 2016 study conducted by Chestnut Global analyzed results from 8,100 individuals utilizing EAP services across 20 different EAP providers. The results show:

  • 46% decreased absenteeism.
  • 13% decreased work distress.
  • 7% increased engagement.
  • 20% increased life satisfaction.

Noëlle Dribben, senior account manager of Adventist HealthCare LifeWork Strategies explains, “You may or may not see a return on investment when reviewing claims data, but you will certainly see the benefit of EAP when you look at employee productivity, engagement and turnover.”

Dribben continues by adding, “Being a part of a workplace culture that promotes well-being and health encourages positivity and allows employees to look forward to coming to work each day.” Employees who are supported and encouraged tend to want to give their best to their employer because they feel that their needs are being met and taken care of.

Overall, a healthy workplace culture will provide:

  • Enhanced employee engagement.
  • Increase in physical and mental health.
  • Rise in productivity.
  • Reduction in absenteeism.

Employee assistance programs can help create a supportive environment following a critical incident in the workplace. A critical incident may include violent workplace incidents, the death of a co-worker or a reduction in force. “By investing in a robust employee assistance program, you have the ability to impact employees before they are in crisis,” Dribben says.

Services included in EAP and well-being programs

Most employee assistance programs come with several different types of resources to assist employees and their families, such as:

  • Free, 24-hour assistance for mental health support.
  • Work-life resources, including legal and financial counseling, parent coaching and child or elder care services.
  • Management support services.

“In addition to traditional EAP services, the LifeWork Strategies EAP offers leadership coaching and management consultations to support and grow leaders,” says Dribben. LifeWork Strategies also offers in person and virtual workshops, seminars or classes where specialists come to the workplace and share information.

Keeping employees healthy doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It can consist of smaller strategies that will have the same benefit overall. Small initiatives add up to big results and the more influence it has on your employees, the larger effect it will have.

If you don’t know where to begin, try surveying employees on what they would like to see. “Reach out to employees to better understand their health goals. Then, work to define a strategy to assist them in meeting their goals,” adds Dribben. Simple initiatives that can help your employees with their well-being include:

  • On-site screenings, such as blood pressure or biometric screenings.
  • Online challenges around physical activity, nutrition, sleep, hygiene, etc.
  • Walking clubs, group classes or discounted memberships to local fitness facilities.
  • Introducing healthy menu items to your cafeteria and vending machines.
  • Well-being education, healthy cooking demonstrations or seated massage.

As you begin to implement these new programs into your business, routinely check-in with employees and encourage feedback. If the response is negative, ask how you can improve. If it’s positive, build upon the programs you have implemented and provide the experiences employees are looking for and enjoying. “Programs like this can improve the health, wellness and quality of life of your employees while boosting productivity and teamwork,” says Dribben.

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