604.921.4042 info@eaglefinancial.ca

Top 3 Myths About Employee Assistance Programs

 

Tragic events can happen to anybody; to ourselves, our friends, our family, our children or our colleagues. It is reassuring to know that there is a system in place to help and overcome those difficult times [1].

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a confidential and voluntary consultation support to employees and their families. It is completely confidential within the limits of the law [2]*. The program can be initiated over the phone, by personal appointment or online and self-guided resources.

Today the services are very comprehensive and extended to:
• Alcohol & Substance Abuse,
• Residential School and Historical Trauma
• Depression
• Relationship Issues
• Stress and Managing Anger
• Financial and Legal Issues
• Domestic Violence
• Retirement Concerns and Planning
• Mental Health Issues
• Workplace Conflict and many more…

The main goal for the program is not to punish employees but rather to:
• Encourage them to receive services needed to deal with personal issues
• Provide advice and consultation to managers and supervisors
• Promote healthy work-personal life balance
• Maintain and promote a positive work environment
• Increase employee engagement.

Today, employers explain EAP is a proactive, preventive effort to help employees identify and resolve personal issues before they have serious medical, family, and/or workplace consequences. The program also provides advice and consultation to managers, supervisors, and plan administrators to spot performance and morale issues when they occur, so the company can address the situation appropriately.

Here are some of the most common questions asked by Human Resources and Finance Managers, and business owners regarding Employee Assistance Programs.

Does EAP increase company health care costs?

 Contrary to popular belief, EAP actually Reduces Company Costs. According to Davidson Trahaire Corpsych, with help from EAP, it is possible to increase employee productivity and happiness and still reduce company costs. The company did a survey in 2013 with 4,707 EAP user companies both before and after they had accessed EAP services. The results determined that; •   The average Return on Investment (ROI) due to improvements in employee productivity was around $9,800 per employee per annum, •   ROI due to reduced absenteeism was about $280 per employee per annum. In total, the ROI per employee was more than $10,000. Morneau Shepell also looked at EAP ROI in 2011. According to the study EAP helps with a 25% reduction in health-related lost productivity costs for employers, providing an $8 return on every dollar invested.

It would be great to have EAP but, it is difficult to get everyone on board.

According to Statics Canada, in any given year, it is expected that one in five Canadians will experience a mental health or addiction problem. EAP can always provide professional assistance and guidance to employees. The program is very beneficial because it increases work morale, employee productivity and harmonized work environment while reducing absenteeism, turnover, and conflicts. If employees have access to counseling and support, everyone wins!
In addition, researchers found that EAP lowers sick days and disability claims, and increases work morale and productivity. For companies, the best scenario is to be proactive and provide access to such services like EAP.

 

Implementing an employee assistance program can be costly

The cost of EAP is negligible compared to the loss of productivity and performance in your organization. Like everything, of course, there are costs associated with implementing EAP, however, supporting employees with work-personal life issues; lowering company turnover and absenteeism rate doesn’t cost that much. Right now in BC, the average cost of EAP is $5.00 per employee per month, and the cost varies depending on the size of your company.

As being the decision-makers, you can promote the well-being of your employees in a truly confidential and professional manner. If you and your employees have questions, EAP has the answers!

Before making your final decision, it is better to spend some time and do your own research. However, if you don’t have the time or experience to find the best possible options, then contacting an Independent Financial Advisor can make things easier for you. With the guidance, you can make your decision with confidence.

Contact Us Today to Find the Most Suitable Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Your Organization!

 

National Aboriginal Day 2015

 

Sunday June 21st is National Aboriginal Day. This special day that was started in 1996 is meant to celebrate the culture of all First Nations, Inuit and Mètis people in Canada. It allows people of all backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate and share knowledge about Aboriginal people`s values and customs. With events across the country such as summer solstice festivals, sacred fire extinguishing ceremonies and traditional feasts, there are plenty of things to do for the entire family.

National Aboriginal Day is celebrated on June 21st of every year. This particular date was chosen due to its correlation with the summer solstice, and coincides with many other Aboriginal group`s traditional celebrations.

 

 

Here is a list of a few events you can attend this year.

 

National Aboriginal Day at Trout Lake
 Date & Time: Sunday June 21, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Starting at 1607 Hastings (Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre) and moving to Trout Lake (3350 Victoria Drive).
Learn more here: click here

Victoria Aboriginal Cultural Festival
Dates: Friday, June 19, 2015 – Sunday, June 21, 2015
Location: Royal BC Museum campus, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria
Learn more here: click here

National Aboriginal Day – Langley
Date & Time: Sunday June 21, 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Douglas Park (2055 Douglas Crescent), Langley, BC
Learn more here: click here

National Aboriginal Day Community Celebration – Nanaimo
Date & Time:Sunday, June 21, 10 am to 2 pm
Location: Bowen Park (500 Bowen Road, picnic area off Wall Street), Nanaimo
Learn more here: click here

JIBC National Aboriginal Day Celebration – New Westminster
Date & Time:Wednesday, June 17, 2015 10 am to 2:30 pm
Location: JIBC New Westminster (715 McBride Blvd), New Westminster
Learn more here: click here

National Aboriginal Day – Williams Lake
Date & Time: Sunday June 21, 10 am to 2:30 pm
Location:Boitanio Park (Borland St. & 7th Ave.), Williams Lake
Learn more here: click here

First Peoples’ Festival – Victoria
Date & Time: Sunday June 19 – 21
Location:Inner Harbour Ship Point (wharf and broughton), Victoria
Learn more here: click here

National Aboriginal Day – Richmond
Date & Time: Sunday, June 21, 1 pm to 3 pm
Location:Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site (12138 Fourth Avenue), Richmond
Learn more here: click here

Whistler National Aboriginal Day
Date & Time: Friday, June 19, 10 am to 4 pm
Location: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (4584 Blackcomb Way), Whistler
Learn more here: click here

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