Background: Gallup (2013) reported that 30% of the U.S. workforce was not engaged in their work which means they were not reaching their full potential or productivity level. For organizations, lost productivity due to absenteeism or less than ideal performance at work impacts company performance and bottom line. Employee assistance programs are a…

Without a doubt, the economy is taking its toll on families, many of whom face reduced wages, unemployment, foreclosure, and decreased--or nonexistent--health care benefits. With this in mind, the Greendale Schools' director of pupil services and this author wondered whether they could offer the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is designed…

A three-stage paradigm for telephonically assessing suicidal risk and triaging suicidal callers as practiced in an Employee Assistance Program Call Center was investigated. The first hypothesis was that the use of the procedure would increase the probability that callers would accept the clinician's recommendations, evidenced by fewer police…

Discusses the use of formal employee assistance programs (EAPs) with adult students who have personal problems that could affect their school performance. Looks at the differences between EAPs and traditional counseling services: EAPs have a written assistance policy; they institutionalize consistency; they are confidential. (JOW)

The counselor's role as an organizational change agent can be a catalytic force aimed at helping to create workplace wellness through psychological management of the change process. The Lewis and Lewis (1989) community counseling model provides helping professionals with guidelines to design comprehensive intervention strategies for assisting…

Reviews three articles from the EAP Digest which discuss the low employee-penetration rate of employee assistance programs. Claims low rates may be a result of environmental, employee, and supervisory attitudes about referral and intervention responsibilities. Concludes future of counselors as feasible service providers hinges partly on successful…

Evaluation of an employee counseling service in Britain's National Health Service by 26 staff participants found the service was valued by employees. Designed to meet the objectives of a "healthy workplace" initiative, the service appeared to be addressing staff support needs. (SK)

This group of six documents has been developed to help employers focus on the growing needs of employees who are concerned about and/or are caring for older relatives. The materials have been designed so that each component can be used individually, allowing employers to tailor programs to their needs. This kit includes information on how to…

Interviews with 50 managers in organizations that had experienced downsizing or restructuring elicited three themes: sense of loss, sense of realism, and sense of support. The experience changed their concept of organizational mission and required an organizational response. It was recommended that management of restructuring and layoff include…

This paper addresses delivery aspects and benefits of client-centered Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services through a review of the literature and research. EAP services are described as educational and mental health services utilized to assist employees and their families to respond constructively to job, personal, interpersonal or…

Discusses the need for a strong assessment process as the beginning of any employee assistance program. Lists various barriers to assessment and provides guidelines for the assessment process. (CH)

This study used a combination of methods suggested by the literature to study the problem of stress and burnout in 30 employees of the Comptrollers Branch of the Canadian International Development Agency over a period of one year. A number of techniques were used, including administration of the Work Environmental Scale (WES) and the Maslach…

The response in British universities to the 'troubled employee' is considered, and then contrasted with the development of Employee Assistance Programs in North American universities. Different types of programs are discussed, and it is argued that British universities might benefit from introducing such programs. (Author/EMK)

Approximately six to eight percent of the nation's workers have problems which affect their job performance; without assistance, these problems become worse, affect others, and may have serious consequences to the employer as well. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a pragmatic but compassionate attempt to improve performance by constructing…

College employee assistance program designs demonstrate the varied needs of a workforce. Whatever the model, the helping approach remains to (1) identify problem employees through performance-related issues; (2) refer them to the assistance program for further intervention; and (3) follow up with employee and supervisor to ensure a successful…