An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Addresses Top Concern for EmployersAn Employee Assistance Program (EAP) addresses a current top concern for employers; ensuring the health and safety of employees as part of a return to work program and helping with mental health during shelter in place orders. EAP services help employees to cope with their personal or professional struggles and are a preventive measure against future serious mental or health issues occurring. By offering this type of resource as employees transition back to work, employers provide access to valuable resources to support wellness and communicate clearly to their employees that they are cared for.What is an Employee Assistance Program?An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides various services to resolve issues that interfere with an individual’s wellbeing and work performance. The services are usually no cost to the employee and are usually include services to family members. They encompass both personal and professional support for employees as well as consultation for issues between management and employee(s).An EAP provides counseling, referral services, apps, training, and access to educational information for some of the following issues:substance abuselegal concernsjob stresspersonal problemshealth issuesfinancial problemscoping with griefeldercare or childcareworkplace difficultieslife planningchallenges of returning to work from a leaveBenefits of offering an EAP include:motivating employees to self-help through no-cost, easy to access to resourcesproviding quality support for assessment and referralpotentially limiting healthcare costs through preventive servicesmay reduce worker’s compensation claimsmay decrease employee turnoverproof of an EAP may be required when applying for some types of liability insuranceWork-Life Balance ProgramOur exclusive UNUM Voluntary Life/AD&D Association Plan includes a complimentary Life Balance Employee Assistance Program. This is a great option for small to midsize employers who may not qualify for a full-service EAP package. The UNUM Work-Life Balance EAP provides the following solutions:Confidential, short-term counseling from Licensed Professional CounselorsChild and/or eldercare referralsFinancial and legal referralsTime management and relocation supportUnlimited access to legal formsCareer DevelopmentHealth AdvocateWellness and other resourcesHR tools and consultation for management on disciplinary measures for employees.Issues discussed are confidential*, and they may be by phone or in-person with a limit of up to three in-person meetings per issue. Many group disability plans also offer this type of EAP, and HR administrators should check the group policy before adding a separate employee assistance program.Excepted BenefitIf an EAP meets certain qualifications, it will be considered an excepted benefit. This means that it is exempt from the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. The qualifications for an EAP to be an excepted benefit are:• “The EAP is offered at no cost and eligibility is not conditioned on participation in another plan;• The EAP does not require cost-sharing for services (i.e., there are no co-pays, deductibles, or co-insurance);• The EAP does not coordinate benefits with another plan; and• The EAP does not provide significant benefits in the nature of medical care.” (ThinkHR)Communication is KeyWhether your nonprofit already has an EAP in place or whether you are looking to add an EAP to the employee benefits, communication is key for a successful program. HR administrators need to educate staff on the services available through their EAP. In a 2019 UNUM study, it was found that 46% of workers did not know whether they had an EAP through their employer while a high percentage of employers do in fact offer an EAP to their employees. Developing a plan for communication strategies throughout the year to remind your staff of the services available may increase utilization by employees, which is one of the crucial components for a successful program.ReferencesEmployee Assistance ProgramsUNUM Mental Health in the Workplace May 2020 Update (to add link)About the Author CalNonprofits Insurance ServicesFounded in 1984 as a subsidiary of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), CalNonprofits Insurance Services was established during a time of diminishing insurance options for nonprofits. One of the driving reasons for establishing the association was to use the collective influence of the sector to secure more stable and quality insurance. We have developed, and are known for, our wide spectrum of services reflecting expertise in both the insurance and nonprofit sectors, our superior customer service, and our development of exclusive insurance products, including a highly successful dental and vision trust. We insure more than 1,200 nonprofit organizations throughout California and we are the only California brokerage specializing in insurance for nonprofits. Our clients range from newly established nonprofits all the way to venerable organizations with multiple locations statewide. View all posts Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name * Email * Website Δ
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) addresses a current top concern for employers; ensuring the health and safety of employees as part of a return to work program and helping with mental health during shelter in place orders. EAP services help employees to cope with their personal or professional struggles and are a preventive measure against future serious mental or health issues occurring. By offering this type of resource as employees transition back to work, employers provide access to valuable resources to support wellness and communicate clearly to their employees that they are cared for.What is an Employee Assistance Program?An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides various services to resolve issues that interfere with an individual’s wellbeing and work performance. The services are usually no cost to the employee and are usually include services to family members. They encompass both personal and professional support for employees as well as consultation for issues between management and employee(s).An EAP provides counseling, referral services, apps, training, and access to educational information for some of the following issues:substance abuselegal concernsjob stresspersonal problemshealth issuesfinancial problemscoping with griefeldercare or childcareworkplace difficultieslife planningchallenges of returning to work from a leaveBenefits of offering an EAP include:motivating employees to self-help through no-cost, easy to access to resourcesproviding quality support for assessment and referralpotentially limiting healthcare costs through preventive servicesmay reduce worker’s compensation claimsmay decrease employee turnoverproof of an EAP may be required when applying for some types of liability insuranceWork-Life Balance ProgramOur exclusive UNUM Voluntary Life/AD&D Association Plan includes a complimentary Life Balance Employee Assistance Program. This is a great option for small to midsize employers who may not qualify for a full-service EAP package. The UNUM Work-Life Balance EAP provides the following solutions:Confidential, short-term counseling from Licensed Professional CounselorsChild and/or eldercare referralsFinancial and legal referralsTime management and relocation supportUnlimited access to legal formsCareer DevelopmentHealth AdvocateWellness and other resourcesHR tools and consultation for management on disciplinary measures for employees.Issues discussed are confidential*, and they may be by phone or in-person with a limit of up to three in-person meetings per issue. Many group disability plans also offer this type of EAP, and HR administrators should check the group policy before adding a separate employee assistance program.Excepted BenefitIf an EAP meets certain qualifications, it will be considered an excepted benefit. This means that it is exempt from the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. The qualifications for an EAP to be an excepted benefit are:• “The EAP is offered at no cost and eligibility is not conditioned on participation in another plan;• The EAP does not require cost-sharing for services (i.e., there are no co-pays, deductibles, or co-insurance);• The EAP does not coordinate benefits with another plan; and• The EAP does not provide significant benefits in the nature of medical care.” (ThinkHR)Communication is KeyWhether your nonprofit already has an EAP in place or whether you are looking to add an EAP to the employee benefits, communication is key for a successful program. HR administrators need to educate staff on the services available through their EAP. In a 2019 UNUM study, it was found that 46% of workers did not know whether they had an EAP through their employer while a high percentage of employers do in fact offer an EAP to their employees. Developing a plan for communication strategies throughout the year to remind your staff of the services available may increase utilization by employees, which is one of the crucial components for a successful program.ReferencesEmployee Assistance ProgramsUNUM Mental Health in the Workplace May 2020 Update (to add link)About the Author CalNonprofits Insurance ServicesFounded in 1984 as a subsidiary of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), CalNonprofits Insurance Services was established during a time of diminishing insurance options for nonprofits. One of the driving reasons for establishing the association was to use the collective influence of the sector to secure more stable and quality insurance. We have developed, and are known for, our wide spectrum of services reflecting expertise in both the insurance and nonprofit sectors, our superior customer service, and our development of exclusive insurance products, including a highly successful dental and vision trust. We insure more than 1,200 nonprofit organizations throughout California and we are the only California brokerage specializing in insurance for nonprofits. Our clients range from newly established nonprofits all the way to venerable organizations with multiple locations statewide. View all posts