Employee Assistance

Employee Assistance is a work organization's resources designed to enhance employee and workplace effectiveness through prevention, identification and resolution of personal and productivity issues including those that may stem from substance abuse.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are an excellent benefit to employees and their families and clearly demonstrate employers' respect for their staff. They also offer an alternative to dismissal an minimize an employer's legal vulnerability by demonstrating efforts to support employees.

In addition to counseling and referrals, many EAPs offer other related services, such as supervisor training and employee education. At minimum, businesses should maintain a resource file from which employees can access information about community-based resources, treatment programs and helplines.