Increasingly, employers are recognising the benefits of providing an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for their staff. Zen Life Counselling is known throughout the Perth industry for delivering successful EAPs on a contract basis.

The objective of an EAP is to provide short-term support for staff experiencing acute personal difficulties that impact on work performance. The employee is able to make an urgent appointment, in full confidentiality with Zen Life Counselling who makes an assessment of the problem and manages the case like any other.

The range of problems that employees seek support for under EAPs include:

• anxiety and depression
• problems with self-esteem
• marital and family problems
• effects of substance abuse (alcohol, prescription medications or illicit drugs)
• health and financial issues
• work adjustment and levels of conflict
• coping skills and approaches to dealing with work-related problems.

Recognised benefits of successful EAPs include:

• lower absentee
• lower stress leave
• lower staff burnout and turnover rates

Companies report significant improvements in morale and the relationship between management and staff.

A combined commitment from the company, unions and employees is necessary to make an EAP work effectively. From the outset, management should promote the service to staff, emphasising the confidentiality of the service and the importance of turning to the EAP before problems escalate.

Your company's EAP can be tailored to suit your needs and resources. Some options you may wish to consider include:

• whether the service will be provided to employees only, or to their spouses/partners and immediate family members as well
• the number of sessions available for treatment under the Program
• establishing an EAP committee to oversee implementation of the Program, and having Zen Life Counselling staff join the committee
• extending the service to cover critical incident debriefing and post-trauma stress counselling, for incidents such as workplace accidents, robbery, threat, death or illness of a colleague, and redundancy.

Your company will receive a monthly EAP operation report and account, providing information about the number of employees who use the service, the nature of the problem presented (confidentiality is preserved) and a suggested outline of action. Anonymous client evaluation forms supplement the evaluation process.

If you would like to discuss the development of an EAP for your company contact Nez at Zen Life Counselling.