Employee Assistance Programmes

In 2007 The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) recommendations to Government outlined the use of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) for companies and organizations as a way of maximising productivity and minimising work days lost due to drug and alcohol related issues.

According to the report:
"There is a trend towards counselling-based solutions to work-related issues (such as bullying and stress) which often only come to light in the courts and in Equality Appeals Tribunals (Lavan, 2006). A study conducted in Scotland on the experiences of 10,000 clients found that the majority (90%) of employees who make use of workplace counselling are highly satisfied (McLeod, 2001). In the majority of studies which have examined workplace counselling, it was shown to reduce sickness absence. In terms of economic costs and benefits, EAP covers its costs, in some cases there is a substantial positive cost: benefit ratio (McLeod, 2001). Studies claim that EAPs result in declines in the use of sickness benefits, work related accidents, workers compensation claims, lost work time and absenteeism as well as in an increase in productivity thus affording significant savings to workplaces (Calogero et al. 2001). Employee Assistance Programmes have been widely implemented in Australian and American workplaces.

Although there are many pitfalls dealing with alcohol and drug misuse in the workplace, little resistance will be encountered if employers develop a best-practice approach based on international best practice (Quinlan, 2006).

:: Conduct a risk assessment and develop a safety statement
:: Introduce or update alcohol and drug policies and contracts of employment
:: Provide employee education, and training for managers and supervisors
:: Introduce or update Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and include Alcohol and Drug Programmes
:: Employee Drug Testing.

An organisations policy on drugs and alcohol should be developed in consultation with employees or their representatives and, where possible, in consultation with medical personnel and other experts who have specialised knowledge regarding alcohol- and drug-related problems."

The Learning Curve Institute offers Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to employers who wish to introduce this for their employees. EAPs are employee benefit programmes offered by many employers, typically in conjunction with a health insurance plan. They are intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health, and well-being. The Learning Curve Institutes EAPs include assessment, short-term counseling and referral services for employees and their household members.

The Learning Curve Institutes Employee Assistance Programmes result in various benefits for employers, including lower medical costs, reduced turnover and absenteeism, and higher employee productivity and morale. The Learning Curve Institute can also provide other services to employers, such as supervisory consultations, support to troubled work teams, training and education programs, and critical incident services.

However, The Learning Curve Institute provides more than just psychological counseling through the integration of a host of "work/life" resources. These kinds of resources can help employees wrestling with the associated demands of starting a family, dealing with personal finances, legal problems or the stresses of being a working caregiver with aging parents.

For more information on The Learning Curves Employee Assistance Programmes please contact info@thelearningcurve.ie or call 098 25530. Alternatively you can contact Sean Foy, Company Director and Head of Consultancy and EAP Department, directly on 087 7554307.