The business case for helping employees stay healthy is becoming increasingly accepted. Organizations struggling with high absentee rates and other health problems may want to consider an EAP. In this issue, we offer some spots on the Web where you can start your research.
A good start
www.consad.com/eap
The research corporation Consad provides this paper on EAPs, divided into six chapters:
•The role of EAPs in a changing world;
•Historical overview and evolution of EAPs;
•Description, selection, establishment and maintenance of EAPs;
•The relationship between EAPs and managed care;
•Program evaluation; and
•The role of EAPs in a changing world.
Each chapter is a few pages of dense prose. However, this reading is a worthwhile introduction.
What you need to do
http://workplace.samhsa.gov/DrugFreeWP/EAPgms.html
This site provides some background into various types of assistance programs. At the end of this page, two important lists are provided. First is the information you should expect to supply a provider so they can analyse your needs. The second list offers guidance in assessing providers to select the one that best meets your organization’s objectives. A number of links are also provided.
EAP lessons from the RCMP
www.erc-cee.gc.ca/Discussion/english/eDP5.htm
Employee Assistance Programs — philosophy, theory, and practice is a discussion paper published by the RCMP. This is a lengthy presentation which is definitely worthwhile to the EAP novice. Some of the discussion specifically addresses the challenges for employers of law-enforcement workers, however much of the information is generic and will apply in all workplaces. At the close are a number of recommendations for increasing the success of an EAP.
One EAP in particular
www.umass.edu/fsap/index.html
This site is the homepage for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (formerly the EAP). Aside from the specifics of the program, there is considerable amount of general information about wellness and employee assistance, including articles by staff on coping with anxiety and the emotional aspects of retirement.
The role of the manager
www.accesspl.com.au/html/info_for_employers.html
This site is an advertisement for Access Programs but nonetheless it still gives readers some ideas regarding what expectations they should have for an EAP provider including typical utilization rates, recommended counselling services and what will be expected of managers in organizations with an EAP.
Guiding principles
www.wfmh.org/wmhday
The World Federation for Mental Health has published a set of guiding principles for EAPs. They are considered “essential to establish a clear and unified understanding of the core elements of EAPs.” Subjects considered include program policies, staffing, confidentiality and ethics. From this site, select the first link and follow the table of contents to “Section Two, Part 2.”
Joe Nunes is an actuary and president of Actuarial Solutions Inc. in Oakville, Ont. He can be reached at (905) 257-2038 or [email protected].
A good start
www.consad.com/eap
The research corporation Consad provides this paper on EAPs, divided into six chapters:
•The role of EAPs in a changing world;
•Historical overview and evolution of EAPs;
•Description, selection, establishment and maintenance of EAPs;
•The relationship between EAPs and managed care;
•Program evaluation; and
•The role of EAPs in a changing world.
Each chapter is a few pages of dense prose. However, this reading is a worthwhile introduction.
What you need to do
http://workplace.samhsa.gov/DrugFreeWP/EAPgms.html
This site provides some background into various types of assistance programs. At the end of this page, two important lists are provided. First is the information you should expect to supply a provider so they can analyse your needs. The second list offers guidance in assessing providers to select the one that best meets your organization’s objectives. A number of links are also provided.
EAP lessons from the RCMP
www.erc-cee.gc.ca/Discussion/english/eDP5.htm
Employee Assistance Programs — philosophy, theory, and practice is a discussion paper published by the RCMP. This is a lengthy presentation which is definitely worthwhile to the EAP novice. Some of the discussion specifically addresses the challenges for employers of law-enforcement workers, however much of the information is generic and will apply in all workplaces. At the close are a number of recommendations for increasing the success of an EAP.
One EAP in particular
www.umass.edu/fsap/index.html
This site is the homepage for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (formerly the EAP). Aside from the specifics of the program, there is considerable amount of general information about wellness and employee assistance, including articles by staff on coping with anxiety and the emotional aspects of retirement.
The role of the manager
www.accesspl.com.au/html/info_for_employers.html
This site is an advertisement for Access Programs but nonetheless it still gives readers some ideas regarding what expectations they should have for an EAP provider including typical utilization rates, recommended counselling services and what will be expected of managers in organizations with an EAP.
Guiding principles
www.wfmh.org/wmhday
The World Federation for Mental Health has published a set of guiding principles for EAPs. They are considered “essential to establish a clear and unified understanding of the core elements of EAPs.” Subjects considered include program policies, staffing, confidentiality and ethics. From this site, select the first link and follow the table of contents to “Section Two, Part 2.”
Joe Nunes is an actuary and president of Actuarial Solutions Inc. in Oakville, Ont. He can be reached at (905) 257-2038 or [email protected].
