Employee Assistance Programmes

   
   
 

If you are involved

in the management

of people . . .

 

you will be very aware how challenging that can be! When a problem presents itself with a member of staff, there is usually an underlying cause. A marriage breakdown, depression, bereavement or addiction can be the catalyst for conflict and stress, leading to poor performance in the workplace. The cure and prevention is often outside your intervention and expertise.

So what can you do?

Rise Counselling Services offer an Employee Assistance Programme that can be specifically tailored for your company. It is designed to improve the well being of staff and managers, bring organisational benefits, improve productivity and reduce the worry of litigation. 

Employee Assistance Programmes can combine all or part of our services mentioned on our website and its content will depend on many factors, such as the need to enhance employee development, improve staff benefit packages and build on management skills.

As an independent contractor, we provide a flexible and financially affordable support system for your business. EAP's are a valuable employee benefit. They can enhance recruitment packages and help to retain trusted staff.

If you are involved in the management of employees, you will be very aware how challenging that can be! When a problem presents itself with a member of staff, there is usually an underlying cause. A marriage breakdown, depression, bereavement or addiction can be the catalyst for conflict and stress leading to poor performance in the workplace. The cure and prevention is often outside your intervention and expertise.

What is an Employee  Assistance Programme?

The EAPA (Employee Assistance Professionals Association) defines an EAP as
"a strategic intervention designed to produce organisational benefit"

The aim of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is fundamentally a support and guidance package designed to enhance your employees performance through well being.
The Rise EAP's underlying concept is based on Face to Face Counselling, Supervision, Executive Coaching and Training Courses. Your EAP would be designed using the appropriate structure for your organisation.

EAP's help managers and staff to:
  • demonstrate a duty of care to employees
  • promote a better working environment
  • improve efficiency
  • decrease staff turnover and absenteeism
  • improve motivation
  • recruit and retain staff
  • assist in personal problems such as - relationships/divorce - bereavement - stress / anxiety / depression        
Putting in place an Employee Assistance Programme can also demonstrate your organisation's duty of care, which helps to protect staff  and limit damage to the business from stress-related personal injury claims.

EAP's and the law

Your business must comply with the United Kingdom Employment Law and meet its 'duty of care' as an employer. Implementing a tailored Rise Counselling Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can help you achieve compliance, and reduce the risk of litigation.

What does your 'duty of care' entail?

 In 1992, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations outlined an organisation's 'duty of care' relating to the well being of staff in the workplace. Under this legislation, stress is regarded as an occupational hazard that must be dealt with. The regulations indicate that employers are now accountable for assessing the nature and scale of both mental stresses and physical risks to health in the workplace.

Putting an EAP in place demonstrates your commitment to maintaining the mental well being of your employees. It is also worth considering that the absence of any form of employee assistance programme or counselling may strengthen an applicant's case in an employment tribunal or civil action, where an employer's 'duty of care' is called into question.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

 On 3 November 2004, the HSE launched new management standards and tools designed to help businesses and their employees manage the issue of work-related stress and minimise its impact on their organisation. This builds on the HSE's recent guidance for managers on improving and maintaining employee health and well-being.

Court of Appeal 2002 -

"an employer who offers a confidential advice service, with referral to appropriate counselling or treatment services, is unlikely to be found in breach of duty (to safeguard their employee's health)."