This blog focusses on Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), what they involve and, importantly, why they’re important for businesses today.
With the impact of mental health on businesses across the UK amounting to 72 million working days being lost each year due to mental health issues, it’s vital that businesses plan to safeguard the health and wellbeing of their employees.
At DataLase, we have recently partnered with PAM Assist to deliver an EAP to our employees. An EAP is a professional service that offers counselling, information and support for all types of issues and problems. The service is free and confidential for individuals to use and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Likewise with our mental health first aid introduction, the business recognises that people have so much going on at work and in their personal lives, that sometimes it can be incredibly hard to know where to turn when in need of help, advice or just someone to listen. The service provided by PAM Assist offers employees a confidential ear, no judgement and genuine support delivered by professionals.
The programme covers a range of issues that affect us all, from bereavement, money worries, work issues, relationships and much more.
So, what are the benefits of an EAP?
It goes without saying that employee health and wellbeing is key in the running of any successful company. Happy and secure staff are naturally going to be productive and content in their work. Having an EAP in place can help employees be prepared for life’s ups and downs, and can also facilitate:
• Raising morale and productivity for a more focused workforce.
• Reducing absenteeism and staff turnover.
• Demonstrating a commitment towards meeting legal requirements and duty of care towards employees.
• Monitoring trends in the workplace.
• Providing a high value employee benefit.
It is therefore clear to see that having an EAP in place that helps enable the above is of huge benefit to both employees and businesses alike.
For further information on DataLase’s EAP, contact Hannah Roscoe, HR Manager, at hannah.roscoe@datalase.com.