Employer FAQs about EAP

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential counselling service available for staff and immediate family members of an organisation. The counselling is typically provided by an independent EAP provider (like allos Australia) to ensure confidentiality. Because the employer pays the EAP provider to provide the counselling service, the counselling sessions are free for employees. EAP’s are designed to identify and resolve issues that would impact good work performance. The types of issues associated with EAP usage include;

• Mental Health issues (eg)
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Psychiatric disorders

• Social issues
  • Gambling
  • Relationship issues
  • Substance abuse
  • Financial issues

• Traumatic experiences
  • Personal
  • Family
  • Community

Organisations need an EAP for the same reason staff wear safety gear (Hi-Vis, glasses, steel capped boots), it's all about preventing injuries and their associated costs. Keep your staff safe and productivity remains high. Good companies see this link between OHS procedures and an EAP.

EAP’s provide practical and timely support for staff at those times when inaction will lead to absenteeism and loss of motivation at work and out of work life.

A proactive EAP is all about enhancing staff capacity to manage personal issues that would otherwise impair satisfactory work performance.

Allos is not interested in providing another EAP that encourages “non-usage”. We believe that if you pay attention to the detail, the quality of the support is far better, translating to happier staff and better productivity.

What does that mean?

We develop long-term, meaningful relationships with our clients (we really do!), from the first connection to the last. We even contact the participants months later, just to simply check-in.

Allos provides a solution-focused service, if people don't feel more equipped to manage their issues by the end, we simply haven't done our job.

We also realise that for some people counselling is not necessarily the answer, so we offer additional options, such as mindfulness/meditation based interventions, coaching/mentoring interventions or relationship-based interventions.

Effective EAP’s deliver on better staff outcomes that lead to a sustained increase in productivity and well-being.

Allos EAP is proven to be very effective, evidenced by utilisation rates and feedback. Our average utilisation rates are around 16% per annum. This isn't surprising because we work really hard to ensure that staff are aware of the benefits of using the service.

Organisations who use EAP see the benefits before the expense;

• Economic
  • Productivity gains,
  • Reduced employee health care costs
  • Reduced Workcover claims - especially stress related
• Culture
  • Better staff morale, more progressive and motivated work teams
  • Positive cultural outcomes,
  • Less absenteeism/presenteeism

Depending on the agreement the EAP provider has with the employer, EAP providers will typically offer between 4-6 sessions with the option of asking employers to pay for extra sessions if needed.

Obviously, the number of counselling sessions required will depend on the severity and complexity of the issue. However, all the evidence points to the fact that earlier intervention lead to better outcomes in a shorter time. It is therefore important from a cost-saving and therapeutic outcomes perspective to find an EAP provider who encourages staff to engage in the service as early as possible. 

Typically, all employees can use the EAP - including leadership. In addition, we believe it is important to also include the immediate family members of staff as well because a happy home life means a happier work life as well.