What Is an Employee Assistance Program? by Ruth Mayhew, Demand Media

Employee assistance programs can help you achieve overall wellness.

Employers are recognizing that a wholistic approach to wellness results in a happier, more productive employee. According to the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, an employee assistance program "utilizes specific core technologies to enhance employee and workplace effectiveness through prevention, identification, and resolution of personal and productivity issues." An employee assistance program, or EAP, typically consists of a group of professionals, such as lawyers, therapists, counselors and financial experts, who contract with an employer to provide advice and guidance to employees. EAPs help them address personal, non-work issues, and concerns that could possibly affect their work life.

Benefits

The purpose of an EAP is to help employees resolve issues in their personal lives that can affect their productivity at work. Employers who offer an EAP benefit, usually at no cost to their employees, stress that your contact with the EAP provider is strictly confidential. Seeking assistance from an EAP counselor will not have an impact on your work record, and it will not be noted in your employment file. An EAP can offer many types of services, ranging from advice concerning family matters to financial planning. The primary goal of EAPs is to encourage wellness in every aspect of life.

Legal Assistance

While an EAP will not provide you with legal representation, some plans offer assistance to employees who want to understand a legal process or procedure. An EAP can provide legal services ranging from advice on how to prepare a will to guidance concerning a landlord-tenant issue. Many EAPs have licensed attorneys on staff to answer your questions about a variety of legal topics. Attorneys from whom you seek advice through your EAP will not represent you in any matter pertaining to workplace issues.

Financial Advice

An EAP counselor can help you sort out your financial matters. More often than not, employees who are in stressful financial situations also feel the effects of that stress in the workplace. A financial counselor may be able to help employees create a budget, determine spending priorities and save for retirement. An EAP financial counselor cannot assist you with advice on personal investments. You must obtain that type of advice from a licensed, registered broker or private financial adviser.

Marital Issues

EAPs provide counseling services to couples who are experiencing challenges in their relationships, whether with a spouse, domestic partner or other family member. An EAP counselor can talk to you alone or to you and your partner to work toward resolving relationship issues.

Substance Abuse and Emotional Well-Being

Historically, EAPs were formed to help companies address employees' substance abuse problems. Many EAPs offer the services of a licensed counselor or therapist experienced in problems involving alcohol and drug abuse, as well as mental and emotional problems. EAP counselors also can make referrals to a licensed therapist if you need to address your problems further.

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