In this article, Mediscreen – Australian drug testing specialists – offers you the latest information on the quality development and optimization of EAP’s. Employee Assistance Programs often complement the services offered by Mediscreen and help in the management of drug and alcohol impacts in the workplace.
Definition
Employee Assistance Programs or EAP’s as they are more commonly referred to, are defined as:
- Work-based intervention programs that are developed so as to enhance the emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing of all your employees. They may also be extended to include family members.[1]
These services are most often free for employees and are usually pre-paid by the employer as part of an OHS Policy. Often, EAP’s comprise an aspect of a drug and alcohol management program, and can help to offset costs associated with absenteeism, poor performance due to AOD issues in the workplace.
Benefits
A recent 2008 article in the Journal of Workplace Behavioural Health states that considerable cost benefits are passed on to those employers who use EAP’s a s part of their overall workplace approach. [2] In EAP Treatment Impact on Presenteeism* and Absenteeism: Implications for Return on Investment Hargrave et al claim that research supports “an increased work productivity resulting from the EAP treatment of employees and that for every dollar spent on an EAP, there is an expected return of between $5.17 and $6.47 (U.S dollars.)”[3] The paper also noted that problems with living (such as drugs and alcohol) impact heavily upon job performance and because EAP’s address problems in living, they can make a significant contribution to an increase in productivity.[4]
The Employee Assistance Society of North America points to The EAP Business Value Model – which “identifies and prioritises the primary sources of business value that EAPs – and their allied health and workplace service partners are capable of providing. The three main categories or levels of value are:
- Workplace Performance Value – cost savings from productivity, absence and other human capital areas
- Benefit Cost Value – cost savings from health care, disability and other employee benefits
- Organisational Value – cost savings from risk management and improved organisational development.
These are seen as hierarchical in order, and one builds upon the other to deliver increasingly more value.”[5]
This Business Value Model may also be implemented as a conceptualizing tool that can assist in the fine-tuning of your EAP.
You can also fine-tune your drug screening program with the help of Mediscreen’s on-site drug testing service. For more information please call our experts on 1300 79 7040
*Presenteeism is defined as “being on the job but having reduced functioning due to mental or physical symptoms.”[6]
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_assistance_program
[2] http://www.haworthpress.com
[3] Hargrave, Hiatt, Alexander and Shaffer. EAP Treatment Impact on Presenteeism and Absenteeism: Implications for Return on Investment. http://www.choixdecarriere.com/pdf/6573/2010/HargraveHiattAlexanderShaffer2008.pdf
[4] Ibid
[5] EASNA Research Notes 2010 Vol.1 No.10 http://easna.org/documents/EASNAResearchNotesno10ValueModelMAY2010102209.pdf
[6] Hargrave, Hiatt, Alexander and Shaffer. EAP Treatment Impact on Presenteeism and Absenteeism: Implications for Return on Investment. http://www.choixdecarriere.com/pdf/6573/2010/HargraveHiattAlexanderShaffer2008.pdf
