June 5, 2007

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

The April, 2007, tragedy at Virginia Tech University has re-cast Employee Assistance Programs in the spotlight of popular discussion. Employee Assistance Programs are designed to help employees deal with anger issues and make the workplace a safe environment. Advocates of EAP's argue that more Employee Assistance Programs amongst employers could help prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. However, others point out that teachers had referred Seung-Hui Cho, the man responsible for the Virginia Tech Tragedy, to counseling. Those in opposition to Employee Assistance Programs point out how easy it is for an employee with emotional issues to slip through the craps of an EAP.

Employee Assistance Program Basics

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a counseling service that an employer offers employees and his/he dependents. An EAP program is designed to help employees deal with both personal and workplace problems. Programs vary among businesses, but many cover a variety of concerns, including stress, emotional problems, substance abuse, marital problems, work place issues, anger management, anxiety, depression, coping with change counseling, and legal problems.

Comparing Mental Health Coverage and EAP

Mental Health Coverage is a popular alternative to an Employee Assistance Program that offers similar results. With an EAP program, an employee would be referred to a specialist based on a consultation with an EAP counselor. If an employer offers Mental Health Coverage as a feature of their health insurance package, an employee may seek the type of mental care he/she needs without seeing an EAP counselor.

Employee Assistance Programs and Mental Health Coverage are offered as part of an employee benefits package amongst certain employers. Employers who offer these packages often purchase a group policy from an outside company.

Most EAP packages are currently designed for companies with employees numbering 100 or more. Many large companies, such as Apple Computer and Campbell’s Soup offer EAP’s. Some criticize the way EAP’s are seldom found in benefits packages in smaller companies.

Impacts of Employee Assistance Programs

Though Employee Assistance Programs were designed to increase productivity in the workplace, such programs have a very positive impact on employees as well. An Employee Assistance Program helps a person address his/her emotions; it allows a person address his/her mental health. High productivity in the workplace is merely a by product of employing emotionally stable people.