Forty-two-year-old Kerry is in a habit of getting to work late. Her co-workers cover for her, but once at work she is not as productive as she used to be. When the company’s EAP professional talked with Kerry, it became clear that sleep is part of the problem—or the lack of sleep. Before work Kerry stops by her mother’s home to do chores her mother can no longer do—and she worries about her mom all day long. Further screening showed that Kerry is depressed. And because she feels depressed, she occasionally drinks too much and arrives at work suffering from a hangover. The EAP offered professional help and resources to deal with these challenges. Without the EAP to give Kerry direction on how to address these issues and improve her work performance, she might have simply been let go. Not only would Kerry’s problems have snowballed, but her employer would have lost a good employee, costing them time and money.
Kerry’s story demonstrates an employee’s personal concerns and significant life problems may affect work performance and productivity, taking a toll on the employee, the employer and the bottom line. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are a proven, cost-effective solution to many of the people-problems that employers face today. Caring, confidential and no-cost to the employer, the Peer Assistance Services Workplace Prevention Services program offers Employee Assistance Program services to address productivity issues.
IMPACT IN THE WORKPLACE
Research indicates that nearly one in five working adults is affected by mental illness and/or alcohol or other drug abuse in any given year. This problem carries a national price tag of over $100 billion per year of indirect costs such as absenteeism, healthcare utilization and turnover. Employees with depression alone account for nearly half of this cost.1
Substance use and mental health issue affects the workplace
• 75% of adults who use illicit drugs are employed, most often in small businesses2
• Absenteeism is 66% higher among workers who abuse substances3
• Substance use results in higher employee turnover resulting in increased costs for training4
• Among those who abuse substances health benefit utilization is 300% higher5
• An estimated 47% of workplace accidents are drug-related6
• More workers are absent from work due to stress and anxiety than physical illness or injury7
• Workers who receive effective treatment for these issues are likely to improve8
THE EAP SOLUTION
An EAP is a worksite program designed to assist organizations address productivity issues and help employees identify and resolve personal concerns that affect work performance. Employees or their family members can access the program directly, consulting with an EA Professional. Managers can also consult with EA Professionals regarding productivity issues.
Benefits for employers
• Increased productivity
• Decreased accidents, turnover and absenteeism
• Reduced healthcare utilization
• Attract and retain employees
• Boost in morale
• Prevention of employee theft
• Workforce cooperation
• Improved bottom line
Services
• Problem identification and referral
• Employee orientation and supervisor training
• Wellness programs such as
—Stress management
—Time management
—Smoking cessation
—Effective communication
—Emotional intelligence in the workplace
—Supervisory skill training
• Management consultation when dealing with workplace performance concerns/productivity issues
• Critical Incident Response
• Drug-free workplace program development and implementation
• 24-hour information line
• Program promotion materials
• Community resources
IS YOUR BUSINESS ELIGIBLE?
Small businesses in Colorado (with five to 100 employees) are eligible for a maximum of two years of services provided by Workplace Prevention Services. There is never a charge for these services, and there are no financial obligations following the two-year period.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Designed to guarantee each individual’s right to privacy under federal and state laws, participation in the EAP is confidential for the employee and members of their household.
COST
Services are free of charge to both the employer and employee.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Colorado Chapter of EAPA
Brief Intervention Group Initiative
Employee Assistance Society of North America
International Employee Assistance Professional Association
FOR INFORMATION
DENVER303.369.0039 TOLL-FREE 866.369.0039
To request information, technical assistance or to schedule a presentation: WorkplaceInfo@peerassist.org
Workplace Prevention Services brochure
FUNDING
Workplace Prevention Services: Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health
Drug-Free Workplace: Paul D. Coverdell Drug-Free Workplace Program, U.S. Small Business Administration
1 THE NSDUH Report: Substance Use Disorder and Serious Psychological Disorders by Employment Status, 2006 2 National Drug-Free Workshop Alliance; U.S. Department of Labor 3,4,5 Drug-Free Workplace Act. sba.gov 6 Berstein, M. and Mahoney, J. (1989). Management Perspectives on Alcoholism: The Employers Stake in Alcoholism Treatment. Occupational Medicine, 4 (2) 7 Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2001 8 American Psychiatric Foundation, Partnership for Workshops for Workplace Mental Health, 2006 Services
Kerry’s story demonstrates an employee’s personal concerns and significant life problems may affect work performance and productivity, taking a toll on the employee, the employer and the bottom line. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are a proven, cost-effective solution to many of the people-problems that employers face today. Caring, confidential and no-cost to the employer, the Peer Assistance Services Workplace Prevention Services program offers Employee Assistance Program services to address productivity issues.
IMPACT IN THE WORKPLACE
Research indicates that nearly one in five working adults is affected by mental illness and/or alcohol or other drug abuse in any given year. This problem carries a national price tag of over $100 billion per year of indirect costs such as absenteeism, healthcare utilization and turnover. Employees with depression alone account for nearly half of this cost.1
Substance use and mental health issue affects the workplace
• 75% of adults who use illicit drugs are employed, most often in small businesses2
• Absenteeism is 66% higher among workers who abuse substances3
• Substance use results in higher employee turnover resulting in increased costs for training4
• Among those who abuse substances health benefit utilization is 300% higher5
• An estimated 47% of workplace accidents are drug-related6
• More workers are absent from work due to stress and anxiety than physical illness or injury7
• Workers who receive effective treatment for these issues are likely to improve8
THE EAP SOLUTION
An EAP is a worksite program designed to assist organizations address productivity issues and help employees identify and resolve personal concerns that affect work performance. Employees or their family members can access the program directly, consulting with an EA Professional. Managers can also consult with EA Professionals regarding productivity issues.
Benefits for employers
• Increased productivity
• Decreased accidents, turnover and absenteeism
• Reduced healthcare utilization
• Attract and retain employees
• Boost in morale
• Prevention of employee theft
• Workforce cooperation
• Improved bottom line
Services
• Problem identification and referral
• Employee orientation and supervisor training
• Wellness programs such as
—Stress management
—Time management
—Smoking cessation
—Effective communication
—Emotional intelligence in the workplace
—Supervisory skill training
• Management consultation when dealing with workplace performance concerns/productivity issues
• Critical Incident Response
• Drug-free workplace program development and implementation
• 24-hour information line
• Program promotion materials
• Community resources
IS YOUR BUSINESS ELIGIBLE?
Small businesses in Colorado (with five to 100 employees) are eligible for a maximum of two years of services provided by Workplace Prevention Services. There is never a charge for these services, and there are no financial obligations following the two-year period.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Designed to guarantee each individual’s right to privacy under federal and state laws, participation in the EAP is confidential for the employee and members of their household.
COST
Services are free of charge to both the employer and employee.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Colorado Chapter of EAPA
Brief Intervention Group Initiative
Employee Assistance Society of North America
International Employee Assistance Professional Association
FOR INFORMATION
DENVER303.369.0039 TOLL-FREE 866.369.0039
To request information, technical assistance or to schedule a presentation: WorkplaceInfo@peerassist.org
Workplace Prevention Services brochure
FUNDING
Workplace Prevention Services: Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health
Drug-Free Workplace: Paul D. Coverdell Drug-Free Workplace Program, U.S. Small Business Administration
1 THE NSDUH Report: Substance Use Disorder and Serious Psychological Disorders by Employment Status, 2006 2 National Drug-Free Workshop Alliance; U.S. Department of Labor 3,4,5 Drug-Free Workplace Act. sba.gov 6 Berstein, M. and Mahoney, J. (1989). Management Perspectives on Alcoholism: The Employers Stake in Alcoholism Treatment. Occupational Medicine, 4 (2) 7 Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2001 8 American Psychiatric Foundation, Partnership for Workshops for Workplace Mental Health, 2006 Services