What is an employee assistance program (EAP)?

”An employee assistance program (EAP) is a worksite-based program designed to assist (1) work organizations in addressing productivity issues and (2) "employee clients" in identifying and resolving personal concerns, including, but not limited to, health, marital, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, stress, or other personal issues that may affect job performance.” EAPA Website

Marital and family problems, financial or legal difficulties, stress, psychological issues, and workplace conflict can become Personnel Department problems when they interfere with attendance, concentration, the quality of the work product, and the workplace morale. Employee Assistance Programs allow access to professional counselors whose job it is to provide confidential assessment, short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their family members in order to assist in dealing with these, and related, concerns.

The EAP field is growing and changing rapidly. To solidify its role in the workplace, a credential has been established for the profession: the CEAP, or Certified Employee Assistance Professional. In order to receive this certification, an EAP professional must have experience dealing with workplace-related problems, and also demonstrate expertise in reaching solutions that benefit both the workplace and the individual workers within it.

To obtain more information on Employee Assistance Programs, contact: