Q: What is an employee assistance program (EAP)?

A: An EAP is a worksite-based program designed to assist (1) organizations in addressing productivity issues and (2) client-employees in identifying and resolving personal concerns that may affect job performance.

By assuming the burden of employees' personal problems, EAPs free supervisors and administrators to pursue organizational interests . EAPs provide workplace leaders with coaching, training, and a win-win process to deal with difficult or problem employees.

Q: Are family members covered by EAP services?

A: Yes, services are provided to your employee's family members, and retirees at no additional cost. Coverage is also provided to laid-off employees for six months.

Q: What types of problems can an EAP help resolve?

A: Our services encourage employees and their family members to seek and accept appropriate help for a wide range of human problems:

• alcohol and other drug abuse
• emotional and mental disorders
• family and marital distress
• financial troubles
• legal entanglements
• poor physical health
• vocational and situational stress
• any other personal problems or concerns.

Q: What kind of risk management problems can the EAP help with?

A. Besides promoting the prevention of compensable injuries through EAP activities such as wellness trainings, EAPs can help reduce the cost of workplace disabilities after an injury occurs.

Employees realize psychological and biological benefits when their employer includes the EAP as an integral part of the disability management program. Employees, disabled by a workplace injury and referred to the EAP, have an opportunity to address problems that may have contributed to the initial injury. In cases where there is no underlying problem, sometimes an injured employee can lose momentum based on the complications associated with the disabling effects of the injury. EAP services can help rekindle their confidence and resiliency, thereby expediting their return to work.

Q: How much are employee's personal problems costing my organization today?

A: This conservative, interactive tool will help you to estimate the dollar impact troubled employees are currently having on your workplace. Simply input the items in red and push 'calculate'. The resulting figure, "Total annual cost to your organization", represents dollars an EAP can help you recover.

Q: What are the cost saving benefits I can expect from implementing a broad brush EAP?

A: A number of research studies indicate EAPs improve work productivity by reducing the negative effects of personal problems at work. For example, EAPs can reduce absenteeism, tardiness, and lost time by intervening in and referring to treatment employees who have alcohol or drug problems. Through brief counseling, EAPs can reduce personal stress and help solve many relationship and situational problems which affect productivity. Worksite education and training activities can prevent problems before they happen.

Besides reducing the negative effects of personal problems on work productivity, a custom-tailored EAP helps:

• contain and reduce overall benefit costs
• increase the value of organizational benefits
• demonstrate and reinforce top-management's concern for all employees
• sharpen supervisors' intervention skills
• educate employees to take responsibility for their personal well-being
• prevent distractive concerns from arising
• promote high morale
• retain valued workers, thereby reducing hiring and training expenses.

It's easy to see how even the most restrained workplace studies place the return on investment of EAP services at $4 for every $1 invested. In short, AWP is ready to help your organization save money, time and lives.

Q: How much does an EAP cost?

A: Cost proposals are priced based on the level of EAP service. Level of service is determined by the number of brief counseling sessions available to each person per year. Included in the price are consultation, education and training activities, EAP case management, referral resources , reports, and support materials.

The fee is usually based on a capitated schedule (per employee covered per month) paid by the employer. AWP's programs are very competitively priced and tailored to each employer. Variables include the size of the employer, location of employees, number of locations, and the number of sessions requested. Call 1-800-343-3822 or go to "Getting Started" for a quote.

Q: Are there specific questions I should ask when shopping for an EAP?

A: The following questions will be effective in helping you select a qualified EAP provider:

• Is the provider a member of EAPA and do they adhere to National Standards for EAPs?
• How long has the vendor been in business?
• Is the program administered by Certified Employee Assistance Professionals (CEAPs)?
• Are there any potential conflicts of interest, such as affiliations with hospitals or treatment providers?
• What's the EAP's reputation among clients customers and other EAP professionals?
• Can the EAP help me meet U.S. DOT requirements for drug and alcohol assessments by a qualified substance abuse professional?
• Can a program be customized to fit to my workplace?
• Does the program provide follow-up services?
• Is access phone only, face-to-face or both?
• How long, after initial contact, until a client receives an appointment?
• Is the vendor able to coordinate the program with my organization's health care benefits?
• What kind of utilization reports does the vendor provide?
• Does the vendor conduct self-evaluation processes and report the same?
• Does the evaluation process include (1) Client Evaluation (2) Supervisor Procedural Referrals and (3) Program Maintenance and Consultation?
• How large is their community resource database and how often is it updated?
• What type of training, orientation, and staff development is provided?
• Does the vendor adhere to state and federal confidentiality laws and regulations?
• What are the procedures for maintaining confidentiality?
• What ancillary services are part of the program?
• What costs, if any would not be included in program services?