Why are EAPs beneficial to employees?

9 October 2024

We’re on a mission to explore the best employee benefits, so discussing our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a must. An EAP benefits your employees and business in many ways, from providing self-care and prevention tools to confidential BACP-accredited counsellors and in-the-moment crisis support. Read on to explore EAP employee benefits and what they can do for your people and business.

Before we answer the question, ‘Why are EAPs beneficial to employees?’, let’s ensure we’re clear on what EAPs are.

What is an EAP?

Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are an employee benefit that support employee mental wellbeing. That’s the ‘in a nutshell’ description, but we must take the conversation deeper than that when explaining EAP benefits to employees.

An EAP benefits employees because it's a tool they can embed into their daily lives to enhance their mental and emotional wellbeing. EAP benefits are a preventative measure, a way of tackling declining mental health before it becomes an issue. Employees can also call upon their EAP benefits when they need in-the-moment or continuous support.

With Pluxee UK, you’re taking on an EAP partner specialising in building strong connections. We take the time to get to know your business and the people who drive it forward, and we work with you to ensure EAP benefits them and delivers maximum impact.

Our EAP benefits employees by:

Giving them access to BACP-accredited counsellors, 24/7, 365.
Guaranteeing confidentiality and confidence.
Providing access to a Wellbeing App filled with valuable resources.
Offering in-the-moment crisis and longer-term support.
Including a dedicated managers hub, giving people leaders the additional tools and support they need to support with empathy and recognise the signs of declining mental wellbeing.

What is an EAP? An EAP is one of the best employee benefits you can offer your employees to help keep mental and emotional resilience high. Whether facing issues in their personal or professional lives, EAP benefits give employees a safe space and a host of resources that empower them to keep themselves well.

EAP employee benefits = must-have employee benefits!

What are the benefits of an EAP Programme?

This question could take some time to answer, as EAP benefits employees and businesses in so many ways.

EAP Employer Benefits...

What benefits the employee benefits the employer! When employees feel good, have a way to share their concerns confidentially, and possess the tools and insights needed to keep healthy, they can bring the best version of themselves to the workplace.

Thriving employees = a world of opportunities for your business.

If you need something more tangible, how about the Deloitte statistic that suggests that every £1 spent on enhancing employee mental wellbeing yields an almost £5 ROI? Poor employee mental health costs UK employers £51 billion a year (Deloitte).

Absenteeism is the main expense to employers caused by poor employee mental wellbeing, with mental ill health the largest cause of long-term absences (four weeks or more) in the UK. Employees experiencing stress, anxiety or depression - even burnout - who remain at work (presenteeism) also cost businesses through lower levels of productivity.

Beyond the financial implications, employees want their employers to support them, and they’re willing to move on if they find an organisation that prioritises employee wellbeing. It’s a matter of attraction and retention.

EAP Employee Benefits...

We’ve already touched on the main EAP benefits to employees - better mental wellbeing every day. However, we’ll use the features of our EAP benefit to be more specific.

Access to BACP-accredited counsellors, 24/7, 365: The NHS is under immense pressure. The referral process from a GP to specialised mental health support is lengthy. Our EAP benefits employees by getting them on the pathway to counselling within a matter of days.

Confidentiality and confidence: Many people keep their worries to themselves, and only 2% of employees feel comfortable confiding in managers and employers about their mental health. Nobody benefits when employees suffer in silence. EAP benefits your people by providing them with a confidential space outside the home and workplace, giving them the anonymity and confidence needed to seek support.

Wellbeing App: Our EAP benefit includes a Wellbeing App filled with useful tools and resources. These include self-help guides, podcasts, journalling features, lifestyle tips, and more.

Crisis Support: Counsellors are at the end of the phone 24/7/365, ready and able to give crisis support whenever needed. Our Wellbeing App includes a crisis button, giving employees more than one way to reach out. A significant way EAP benefits employees is by guaranteeing they’re never alone.

Managers Hub: The Managers Hub provide managers with the information they need to be confident and capable leaders - a direct benefit to them personally and professionally. 43% (two in five) employees have quit a job due to poor managers (People Management). Upskilling and supporting managers to be the leaders that their people need makes for a more positive workplace culture and employee experience.

Unleash All the Ways EAP Benefits Employees with Pluxee UK

With over 60 years of experience in the employee benefits and engagement industry, we’re the trusted partner you need in your corner to ensure your EAP employee benefits make a positive impact.

Request a no-obligation call with one of our employee engagement consultants today.