Companies that have employee assistance programs save money.
“Canadian businesses can save up to $7 billion over five years in prescription drugs and wage replacements even if only one-half of employees who need help for depression and anxiety were receiving it.”
- Business and Economic Roundtable on Mental Health
Through Aspiria’s progressive employee support programs, your company will realize significant improvements in productivity while reducing costs associated with absenteeism, disability and drug claims.
Alcohol, drug abuse, stress, divorce, mental illness, bankruptcy, grief, suicide…these are familiar terms, but somehow, meaningless unless it happens to us or someone close to us. And, yet the chances that any individual can navigate life from birth to death without facing serious personal challenges are virtually zero. If it were possible for employees to separate their personal problems from their work life, or for employers to ensure that individual productivity was unaffected by personal situations, there would be no need for employee assistance programs. However, the simple fact is that problems affect people, and people affect productivity. As an example this translates into: 70% of those who reported using drugs are employed; 10 million employed people are currently users of illicit drugs.
Despite ambiguity on what constitutes cost effectiveness, it is clear from various company results that employee assistance programs more than pay for themselves. Subjectively, there is no way to place a monetary value on a job saved, a family put back together, the gratitude of the employee helped, or avoiding the loss of a life. These are not part of any annual report, but these are a very real and satisfying return from loss to an organization. Managed properly, an EAP will prove to be a positive influence on labor-management relationships, employee turnover, productivity and the sense of identity between employee and employer.
NOTE: The above has been quoted from EAPA’s Theory and Operation pamphlet
Additional benefits to your organization of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
More than 70% of all Fortune 500 companies have implemented Employee Assistance Programs. Firestone Tire and Rubber estimated EAP savings of $1.7 million or $2,350 per person involved. United Airlines reported a return of $16.35 for every dollar invested in E.A.P. costs. Scoville Manufacturing estimates an annual cost savings of $186,550 credited to their E.A.P. McDonnell-Douglas credits their E.A.P. for 44% reduction in missed work days. 81% reduction in attrition rates. $7,300 less health care claims filed by those utilizing E.A.P.
General Motors estimates cost decreases in:
Lost Time – 40%
Sickness & Accident benefit – 60%
Grievances – 50%
On-the-job accidents – 50%