A study commissioned by Arete Human Resources finds that employee assistance programs (EAPs) demonstrate the benefits of EAPs to both employers and employees.
The study, Investigating the Global Value of a Canadian Employee Assistance Program, shows that EAPs improve Canadians’ quality of life, reduce the economic challenges of reduced productivity in the workplace and ease the pressure on the healthcare system.
“We’ve long known that counselling and support services, like those offered by employee assistance programs, improve the lives of those struggling under the weight of difficult mental health issues such as anxiety and depression,” says Allan Stordy, president and CEO of Arete Human Resources. “But now we can link these positive results to a very real cost savings for employers and our publicly funded healthcare system.”
According to the study, significant improvements in mental health were seen in individuals with access to an EAP, with reductions in depression, anxiety and stress levels three months after the last counselling session.
After EAP use, public healthcare utilization relating to specialist visits was reduced. Further, the study found that reduced work productivity and significant employer costs observed at intake highlighted an organizational need for the services.
At time of intake, 66% of participants had performance issues that produced an estimated average economic loss of $1,063 in the last four weeks for employers. This translated into an average annual loss per participant of almost $13,000 associated with absenteeism and presenteeism.
Individual, employer and social outcomes all contribute to improved workplace mental health. Through EAPs, positive impacts involving all stakeholders are achievable. Prior to entering the EAP, 66% of all study participants reported having moderate, severe or extremely severe problems with stress, anxiety or depression. Three months after completing the counselling program, less than 32% fell into these same categories.
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