Fire Your Employee Assistance Program

by

How rethinking the EAP provider model will improve access to confidential support and reduce costs for employers

Today’s work environments are more high-pressure and fast-paced than ever. Since the pandemic, we now work more flexibly, which means the boundaries of time and space are blurred. Artificial Intelligence permeates our tools and technologies, leading to reshaped processes and expedited demands, such as an always-on culture that worships the live chat function.

The modern workplace is a pressure cooker

Employees find themselves striving not just to meet expectations, but to diffuse tensions as consumer disputes are on the rise. The demand and expectation of immediate satisfaction has resulted in an increase of critical incidents, where minor inconveniences can escalate into major confrontations, placing tremendous strain on employees in difficult workplace environments.

Add to this, the personal situations each employee carries with them – challenges that can manifest in various forms, such as addictive behaviours that silently tug at their focus and resilience. Beyond the routine tasks and deadlines, these underlying issues can lead to a difficult conversation, as colleagues and managers find it challenging to communicate openly or know what advice to give.

The World Health Organisation estimates 15% of working-age adults have mental disorders, costing the global economy $1 trillion each year in lost productivity.

Traditional Employee Assistance Programs are Falling Short

We already know…

  • An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a work-based intervention service designed to assist employees in resolving personal problems that may be negatively impacting their day-to-day life and workplace performance.
  • EAPs provide independent, short-term professional counselling, coaching and other services
  • EAPs aim to enhance the emotional, mental, and general psychological wellbeing of all employees and include services for immediate family members.
  • The program provides preventive and proactive interventions for the early detection, identification, and/or resolution of both work and personal problems.

Problem is… workers and their family members are not using these programs!

Recent research by Gartner, Inc. found that organisations continue to invest in well-being offerings even though employees don’t often use them.

• 80% of organisations offer physical well-being programs, but only 32% of employees use them.

• 67% of organisations provide financial well-being services, but only 25% of employees take advantage of them.

• Only 23% of employees use emotional/mental well-being offerings despite 87% of organisations providing them.

It's Clear that One-Size-Fits-All isn't working

Employees want an EAP that improves employee mental health and wellbeing. However, the established system that EAP is based on, is fundamentally flawed. In 2017, the United Nations General Assembly cooperated to converge international data that showed:

  • There is a fundamental power imbalance when making decisions about mental health

  • A bias towards medicalisation means that alternative forms of treatment are not given equal consideration

  • People only use certain information when making decisions about mental health

This report highlights the need for change within the EAP system to enhance workplace mental health support, increase employee productivity and support staff in addressing personal problems, such as family conflicts, health issues, and substance abuse.

It is crucial to evolve with the times and provide effective support for employees’ mental health and wellbeing.

Current EAP Models Don't Work and Waste Thousands for Employers

  • EAPs may charge a one-time setup fee ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

  • Annual subscription fees for EAPs can range from $20 to $50+ per employee.

  • Certain EAPs may charge extra based on use, leading to higher costs with frequent usage.

  • Overall costs can increase as the variety of services becomes wider, with many EAPs offering counselling, legal advice, financial advice, and crisis intervention under a single umbrella.

Office workers doing yoga

There needs to be a lower-cost and more flexible way to provide EAP Services and Support

Traditional Employee Assistance Programs struggle with affordability and rigidity, leaving employees feeling unsupported in times of need.

Imagine a more adaptable solution that not only offers professional counselling tailored to individual concerns but also fosters community through group sessions that empower collaboration and healing.

A dedicated platform encompassing diverse resources from large and small providers for services similar to legal assist, money assist, family assist, career assist, and financial wellbeing support, but with the freedom to choose providers for their unique circumstances.

This innovative approach would break down barriers and encourage a proactive stance toward well-being, empowering individuals to navigate personal challenges with dignity and confidence in the way that works best for them.

A new way to access Workplace Mental Health Support

Mentwell is a revolutionary Australian B2B portal and gift cards company, who makes it easier than ever for companies to provide their employees with quality and tailored mental health support, based on need.

The platform offers access to a variety of resources, providing support for employees experiencing mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse issues

Access to confidential counselling support and online counselling services and help to develop coping strategies and improve their mental wellbeing

Support services for managers in addressing workplace mental health issues and developing emotionally intelligent leadership competencies.

A woman sitting at a desk while participating in a coaching session

Complete flexibility in Employee Support Services

Mentwell can be used at ANY health and wellness service provider, Australia-wide.

Creating a Supportive Workplace Culture starts with Free – and is Scalable

Even if your budget for any EAP provider or EAP services is zero, you can still lead your workplace to:

  • Promote a culture of mental health awareness and support
  • Encourage employees to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing
  • Provide free resources and support for employees to manage stress and build resilience
  • Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that supports employee wellbeing

And you can add Mentwell cards as you go.

Australia’s Employee Assistance Program EAP services will never be the same again

Scrap the excessive costs and check out Mentwell’s tools to build an affordable and effective EAP assistance program alternative.

At the forefront, two people are hitting a boxing bag. In the background is an office.

I am proud to accept Mentwell cards in my coaching practice, as they embody a powerful and waste-free approach to health and wellness. I believe that everyone deserves to feel acknowledged and understood, and with the flexibility these incentives offer, individuals can tailor their experience to suit their unique needs. Learn more About Me and my services.