A FirstAssist EAP is an extremely valuable way of offering employees an independent support system to boost their emotional wellbeing, whilst simultaneously improving the productivity of your workforce and reducing instances of employee absence.
All too often, the phone number is given out to employees at the launch of a scheme without any further communication taking place throughout the year. At FirstAssist, we believe that good promotion is at the heart of the success of a scheme, so this guide is designed to ensure your EAP gets the visibility needed to achieve the greatest return on investment from this valuable tool.
Educate your Line Managers
Take-up can be improved by ensuring line managers are informed about the benefit and are willing to promote it. This equips them with required soft skills in order to be supportive and able provide a source of assistance, whilst increasing productivity and morale among employees. Educating managers with the benefits the EAP can offer them in their day to day role as a manager will enhance the value they get from the programme, enabling them to become natural ambassadors for the service.
Re-promote the service at regular intervals
Regularly communicating the EAP can help employers gain the greatest return on their investment in the product by keeping it high profile. Organising an awareness day can provide an opportunity for a re-launch which will boost understanding and renew visibility of the service.
Communicate the benefits at times they are needed most
A positive employer should actively promote its EAP programme around events that take place during the year. There are certain times in the year when the need to promote EAPs is more relevant. Christmas and the end of the summer are two key times in the year services are needed the most.
Communication can also help employers to shrug off the stigma attached to seeking help. Promoting the practical information and sign-posting services available will help to achieve this.
Ensure a full understanding of the basics of the service through all of your regular communications:
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The service is available 24 hours a day – qualified counsellors and consultants answer the calls for instant support, day or night for work or personal issues.
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The service is free to use – the number is free to call from land lines (although charges may apply from some mobile phone networks) and the service is provided as a benefit so it’s completely without charge.
- The service is confidential and operated by an independent company – employees need to know that any information their employers receive will be statistical and they can remain anonymous if they wish.
- The components of the service – employees need to know that the service offers them practical information as well as counselling. Case studies are a great way to communicate the versatility of the service.
Each organisation knows the best communication channels for their own internal communications to reach every member of staff. Printed and electronic materials are provided to help you promote your employee assistance programme throughout your site(s) and amongst your entire workforce. By raising awareness about the versatility of the services, you can help your employees get the support they need to manage life’s challenges and balance work and life.
Our EAP information cards inform employees about all the services available to them through their EAP. It includes clear instructions for accessing the programme and is provided at the launch of the service to cover every single employee.
We produce and distribute topical articles and guides, which provide an instant source of reference for employees on particular subjects, as well as promoting the help and support available through the telephone services.
The EAP posters are designed to promote typical issues the EAP can offer support for and are best displayed in high-traffic areas throughout your company for optimum exposure. Popular areas include the staff canteen, rest rooms, toilets and hallways. It’s an excellent reminder to your employees that they have EAP services available 24/7.
The Manager’s Guide to the EAP is a vital tool used to assist your managers in identifying and dealing with declining performance and other job-related issues. It includes case studies and referral forms.
Employee briefings are a great way to launch or re-launch the service. As well as raising the awareness, the sessions offer a medium through which managers and employees can educate themselves and any questions can be answered.
Template letters and emails can be provided to you if you find this method of communication is successful for communicating to your employees.
Short ‘movies’ (DVD) can describe the services available in a visual format and can be added to company intranet sites, or integrated into employee briefings.
Your intranet site is also a great way to make it as easy as possible for employees to find details of the EAP when it is needed. FirstAssist provide flyers, copy, or downloadable booklets or the movie modules which can be used on most intranet sites.
Case studies are also a good way of bringing the service elements to life. Providing employees with practical examples of how the service can be used, the wide range of issues covered and how it has helped others can help to boost usage.
For more information on the elements of our award-winning EAP, please download our brochure here.