Progressive organizations and businesses are providing Employee Assistance programs to their employees because it's good business and because they care about the people who work for them. Employers understand that when an employee has personal problems, their work perfomance and productivity will be effected. These are often manifested in the form of low work quality, absenteeism, morale on the job, conflicts, and increased health insurance claims due to stress-related problems.

The EAP is a worksite-based program designed to assist in the identification and resolution of productivity and attitudinal problems associated with those employees impaired by personal concerns, including but not limited to: health, marital and family, alcohol, durgs, emotional stress, and legal problems.

Who Uses an Employee Assistance Program?

Thirty Three percent of all non-public work sites have EAP programs, serving more than fifty five percent of all employees in U.S. work sites with 50 or more employees (1993). Today over 25,000 companies have implimented EAPs with twenty one percent of the smallest firms (50-99 employees) and seventy six percent of the largest firms (1000+ employees) having an EAP. In Central Oregon, OPACA currently provides services to 20 companies ranging in sized from 20 employees to companies that have over 3000 employees. These companies represent both the public and private sector, and include: government, education, utilities, construction, professional services, media, biotechnology, and the hospitality industry.

Cost Savings

A 1994 report (Marsh and McLennan Companies) described anecdotal evidence of significant savings associated with EAP utilization.

• A $7,750 saving per employee at Warner Corporation because of lower recruitment and training costs, lower worker's compensation costs and fewer on-the-job accidents.
• A 75% reduction in inpatient substance abuse treatment costs after EAP implimentation at Gilette Company.
• A reduction in absenteeism and worker's compensation insurance costs at Sawyer Gas Company and at Oregon Steel Mills.

A study of the McDonnell Douglas EAP estimated savings of %5.1 million due to fewer days missed from work, lower turnover, and lower medical claims of employees, spouses and dependents.

OPACA Can Help

OPACA provides employers with specialized services you need for your organization. We work with supervisors and managers offering the resources they need to deal effectively with employee personal problems. Our clinical professionals provide all employees and their immediate families a direct and immediate link to assistance services designed to address their personal problems. We help employees isolate and identify the source of their problems, assist in problem resolution, and provide information and referrals to those needing ongoing care, therapy, and treatment. We offer troubled employees guidance towards a better understanding of themselves and the people around them, creating more productive, more effective, and more satisfied employees.