EAP benefits employees by providing swift, confidential, and professional assistance with personal problems that presently or may in the future impair one's job performance. Five to ten percent of the work force is a conservative estimate of the employees, in any given workplace, suffering from personal problems that severely effect their work. Alcoholism, drug abuse, marital, family, emotional, financial, and legal problems are examples of the kind of difficulties that can result in lowered effectiveness on the job. An EAP established within an organization usually consists of a variety of elements. A Written Policy and set of procedures are formulated for assisting employees with personal problems.
Training is provided to supervisory personnel.
Screening of the referred employee is performed by a professional screener who will make arrangements for the employee to receive treatment from the appropriate resources. Consultation is provided to managers and supervisors on an as-needed basis. It is important to note that supervisors do not diagnose an employee's problem, but rather refer employees based on job performance concerns only. A well run EAP will create its own credibility. Once employees view the program as a source of help, they will begin to make self referrals.