An employee assitance program (EAP) is a work-based intervention system that is designed to help employees resolve any personal problems that may be affecting their work performance or that would otherwise help with their well-being.
While EAPs have traditionally been used to help employees with alcohol and substance abuse issues, today they cover a much broader range of problems including child and elder care, financial and legal issues, relationship breakdowns, wellness and workplace matters such as bullying, racism, violence, equal opportunity and sexual abuse.
These programs are undertaken by employers at no cost to their employees are and EAP providers are often included as part of an overall health insurance plan for the organization. Services can be delivered in-person, through video-conferencing, online chat or email. Often the services are also available to an employee’s spouse, children or non-married partner that live in an employee’s household.
