Research shows EAPs help keep staff at work
Dated: 06/06/2011
A survey by EAPA member organisation, FirstAssist, shows that more than half of the employees who have received counselling through an EAP claim they would have had to miss work, had it not been for the service.
The survey of 4,213 employees who received counselling sessions through an EAP reveals only 17% of those questioned felt their ability to cope with the demands of their job was 'good' or 'very good' before they had counselling, as opposed to 64% afterwards.
The research was carried out among employees from a range of businesses, who have access to counselling services as part of an EAP from FirstAssist.
The results also show counselling has a positive effect on employees' personal lives, with just 9% saying satisfaction with their personal life was 'good' or 'very good' before counselling, compared to 57% saying the same thing afterwards.
Relationships with colleagues were also improved, with 23% saying they were either 'poor' or 'very poor' before, as opposed to only 2% afterwards.
Andrea Waller, managing director, FirstAssist, part of the Capita Group, says: "All the wider evidence shows that mental health issues are on the rise. Anxiety and depression can have a serious effect on all areas of a person's life, including their work. By cultivating an open and supportive working environment, including access to confidential counselling services as part of a comprehensive health and wellbeing approach, employers can work with employees to help them overcome their issues, which in turn will result in a more productive and loyal workforce."
