Fostering a healthy work atmosphere is essential in today’s competitive landscape. On average, Indian employees spend 52 hours a week at their workplace and 59 minutes daily commuting from work. With employees spending more time at work, a healthy work environment goes a long way in retaining talent.
A survey by the American Health Association revealed that 51% of employees remain in their jobs due to solid relationships with coworkers.
As the work culture and atmosphere constantly change, attracting and retaining talent in the workplace is only possible with a positive work environment. Therefore, employee assistance programs (EAPs) enable employees to receive holistic benefits and make corporate social responsibility more inclusive.
What are Employee Assistance Programs?
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a wellness initiative taken by companies for their employees designed to boost their performance by offering confidential and short-term support for resolving personal issues. EAP counselling has been proven to assist employees in having a positive mindset and become the vehicle for them to work efficiently and achieve their goals. The program covers a wide range of issues, such as those about finances, law, physical health, and mental health.
With the emergence of mental health awareness in workspaces, the relevance of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) has garnered interest among today’s youth. By normalising the idea of seeking help, the prevalent stereotypes on mental health have slowly begun to take a backseat, and that is the kind of new Indian mental health organisations like YourDOST are aiming to create.
From YourDOST wellness plans, 70% of the employees who were enrolled in EAP Counseling reported higher job satisfaction than those who did not enrol.
Furthermore, the perks of EAPs and services frequently cover spouses, extended family members, and dependents of employees. Providing counseling for employees is a game changer for opinion/thought leaders to start teaching in their business to become catalysts of hope and encourage employees to seek help when available.
What are some of the benefits of EAPs?
1. Increased productivity
EAPs are an effective technique to boost workplace productivity and performance. According to research, employee well-being can enhance productivity by up to 25%. These programs reduce stress through workshops and counseling, enhance physical and mental health by promoting exercise and healthy eating, and improve engagement and morale by showing companies care about employee well-being and motivating employees to put in more effort. EAP services have benefitted employees by building trust with their employer and making them feel validated and worthy of their presence and expertise, helping them stay focused on their roles and responsibilities.
2. Reduce absenteeism
High work stress can lead to problems such as poor work-life balance and distracted employees, making them less motivated and innovative. Furthermore, stressed people may become defensive, argumentative, and less communicative at work.
They may also begin to take more sick days in an attempt to cope. Such absences can have significant implications. According to statistics, employees with access to EAP services use 4.8-6.5% fewer sick leave hours than employees whose employers do not provide employee assistance counselling.
3. Attracting talent with wellness
EAPs attract new hires by displaying a company’s commitment to employee well-being. Including an EAP in the benefits package demonstrates the employer’s commitment to addressing employees’ emotional and professional issues.
Employee care is like a cornerstone that connects with the emotional side of a new joiner and provides them with more profound job satisfaction. This proactive strategy strengthens the company’s reputation as a caring and helpful workplace and gives it a competitive advantage in a crowded labor market. Including the EAP in recruitment materials and talks may attract applicants who value work-life balance and mental health, increasing the organization’s appeal to top talent.
4. Lead to increased employee retention.
A positive work atmosphere is crucial in retaining talented people. Offering tools for mental health, financial planning, legal assistance, and other topics helps employees handle stress and personal difficulties better, resulting in enhanced workplace satisfaction and loyalty. The extensive assistance, which frequently includes employees’ families, decreases stress and improves general well-being. Employee assistance benefits help increase productivity, boost morale, and reduce attrition by resolving issues before they escalate. Furthermore, adding employee assistance program benefits as a part of the offer letter before joining or having a section attached to the policies for employees to refer to encourages transparency and trust.
According to an American Health Association poll, 51% of employees stay at their jobs due to positive interactions with coworkers. Furthermore, this program is particularly effective at attracting and retaining younger personnel, such as Generation Z and millennials. Mental health services are highly valued by Generation Z, with 73% of them taking mental health support into account when choosing a career.
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