An Employee Assitance Program (EAP) is a work-based program that is provided to assist employees in resolving personal problems that impact their performance at work. EAPs have traditionally helped workers with issues associated with alcohol and substance abuse but these days they cover a broader range of issues that affect employees such as childcare and elder care, financial and legal problems, relationship challenges, mental health issues as well as workplace issues such as bullying and sexual harassment.
Employers deliver EAP support at no cost to employees and can be stand alone programs provided by third-party providers or as part of the organization’s health insurance plans. Services are delivered in a wide range of formats including in-person counselling, video counselling, online chat and email. EAPs can include a wide range of additional services such as advice lines, legal support and child adoption assistance among others. EAP services are also provided to an employee’s partner, spouse, children and others living in the same household.