Why are EAPs beneficial to employees?

9 October 2024

We’re on a mission to explore the best employee benefits, so discussing our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a must. An EAP benefits your employees and business in many ways, from providing self-care and prevention tools to confidential BACP-accredited counsellors and in-the-moment crisis support. Read on to explore EAP employee benefits and what they can do for your people and business.

Before we answer the question, ‘Why are EAPs beneficial to employees?’, let’s ensure we’re clear on what EAPs are.

What is an EAP?

Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are an employee benefit that support employee mental wellbeing. That’s the ‘in a nutshell’ description, but we must take the conversation deeper than that when explaining EAP benefits to employees.

An EAP benefits employees because it's a tool they can embed into their daily lives to enhance their mental and emotional wellbeing. EAP benefits are a preventative measure, a way of tackling declining mental health before it becomes an issue. Employees can also call upon their EAP benefits when they need in-the-moment or continuous support.

With Pluxee UK, you’re taking on an EAP partner specialising in building strong connections. We take the time to get to know your business and the people who drive it forward, and we work with you to ensure EAP benefits them and delivers maximum impact.

Our EAP benefits employees by:

Giving them access to BACP-accredited counsellors, 24/7, 365.
Guaranteeing confidentiality and confidence.
Providing access to a Wellbeing App filled with valuable resources.
Offering in-the-moment crisis and longer-term support.
Including a dedicated managers hub, giving people leaders the additional tools and support they need to support with empathy and recognise the signs of declining mental wellbeing.

An EAP is one of the best employee benefits you can offer your employees to help keep mental and emotional resilience high. Whether facing issues in their personal or professional lives, EAP benefits give employees a safe space and a host of resources that empower them to keep themselves well.

EAP employee benefits = must-have employee benefits!

What are the benefits of an EAP Programme?

This question could take some time to answer, as EAP benefits employees and businesses in so many ways.

EAP Employer Benefits...

What benefits the employee benefits the employer!

Employee Safety

Emotional security relates to how safe employees feel in bringing their whole selves to work without fear or judgment. When you support employee wellbeing with EAP, you're showing your employees that their needs matter. When employees feel seen, supported and valued, you open the door to creativity and innovation, boosting employee engagement.

Enhance Mental and Emotional Wellbeing

When employees feel good, have a way to share their concerns confidentially, and possess the tools and insights needed to keep healthy, they can bring the best version of themselves to the workplace.

Thriving employees = a world of opportunities for your business.

Increase Productivity

If you need something more tangible, how about the Deloitte statistic that suggests that every £1 spent on enhancing employee mental wellbeing yields an almost £5 ROI? Poor employee mental health costs UK employers £51 billion a year (Deloitte).

Reduce Absenteeism

Absenteeism is the main expense to employers caused by poor employee mental wellbeing, with mental ill health the largest cause of long-term absences (four weeks or more) in the UK. Employees experiencing stress, anxiety or depression - even burnout - who remain at work (presenteeism) also cost businesses through lower levels of productivity.

Employee Retention

Beyond the financial implications, employees want their employers to support them, and they’re willing to move on if they find an organisation that prioritises employee wellbeing. It’s a matter of attraction and retention, and EAP enhances your Employee Value Proposition (EVP), setting you apart from other employers.

EAP Employee Benefits...

We’ve already touched on the main EAP benefits to employees - better mental wellbeing every day. However, we’ll use the features of our EAP benefit to be more specific.

Access to BACP-accredited counsellors, 24/7, 365

The NHS is under immense pressure. The referral process from a GP to specialised mental health support is lengthy. Our EAP benefits employees by getting them on the pathway to counselling within a matter of days.

Confidentiality and confidence

Many people keep their worries to themselves, and only 2% of employees feel comfortable confiding in managers and employers about their mental health. Nobody benefits when employees suffer in silence. EAP benefits your people by providing them with a confidential space outside the home and workplace, giving them the anonymity and confidence needed to seek support.

Wellbeing App

Our EAP benefit includes a Wellbeing App filled with useful tools and resources. These include self-help guides, podcasts, journalling features, lifestyle tips, and more.

Crisis Support

Counsellors are at the end of the phone 24/7/365, ready and able to give crisis support whenever needed. Our Wellbeing App includes a crisis button, giving employees more than one way to reach out. A significant way EAP benefits employees is by guaranteeing they’re never alone.

Managers Hub

The Managers Hub provide managers with the information they need to be confident and capable leaders - a direct benefit to them personally and professionally. 43% (two in five) employees have quit a job due to poor managers (People Management). Upskilling and supporting managers to be the leaders that their people need makes for a more positive workplace culture and employee experience.

Reduce Stress

The features of our EAP benefit serve a very significant purpose - reducing employee stress and improving mental wellbeing. EAP is a preventative tool, designed for employees to use as soon as they feel the need. Whether it's a personal or work-related issue, money worries or relationship woes, employees can pick up the phone and speak to an advisor trained to help them develop practical solutions. Tackling concerns before they get too big reduce the stress and the risk of further mental health concerns.

Unleash All the Ways EAP Benefits Employees with Pluxee UK

With over 40 years of experience in the employee benefits and engagement industry, we’re the trusted partner you need in your corner to ensure your EAP employee benefits make a positive impact. Our award-winning range of employee benefits includes a wide range of wellbeing-boosting solutions, including an Annual Purchase Leave Scheme, Gym Memberships and Fitness Discounts, a Cycle to Work scheme, and more.

Get in touch to request a no-obligation call with one of our employee engagement consultants today.