Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offer a range of services designed to help employees deal with personal and work-related issues. These programs provide substantial benefits not only to employees but also to employers.
How EAPs Benefit Employees
- Confidential Support
Employees receive a number of free, confidential visits with counselors and have access to support services for issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, family problems, and legal/financial concerns. - Improved Mental Health
EAPs help employees manage mental health more proactively, leading to reduced burnout, improved emotional well-being, and better coping strategies. - Increased Productivity
By addressing personal problems before they impact work performance, EAPs help employees stay focused, productive, and engaged. - Better Work-Life Balance
Access to resources like childcare referrals, eldercare assistance, and financial counseling helps employees balance personal and professional responsibilities. - Crisis Management and Support
EAPs offer immediate help during personal or workplace crises, such as the death of a loved one or a traumatic event at work.
How EAPs Benefit Employers
- Reduced Absenteeism and Presenteeism
Employees dealing with personal issues are more likely to miss work or be less effective. EAPs reduce both, leading to a more stable and productive workforce. - Lower Healthcare Costs
Early intervention through EAPs can prevent costly medical claims, especially related to mental health and substance use. - Improved Employee Retention
Providing EAP services shows employees they’re valued, boosting morale and retention. - Compliance and Risk Mitigation
EAPs can support HR and legal departments in managing workplace issues such as harassment, violence, or substance abuse.
Employee Assistance Programs are commonly offered as a value-added benefit alongside insurance policies from carriers such as Guardian, Aetna, and Blue Cross. However, stand-alone employee assistance programs are also available through specialized vendors such as Proactive.
EAP Programs in Action
Guardian
Guardian’s Employee Assistance Program delivers a comprehensive suite of support for mental, legal, financial, and caregiving that is accessible and confidentially delivered to employees and their families.
Key advantages:
- 3 face to face, virtual or telephonic counseling
- 24-hour crisis help
- Estate planning
- 1 legal consultation per separate legal matter
- 30 days of access with a personal money coach
- Child and parenting services
- Adult and eldercare services
Aetna
Aetna offers a robust Employee Assistance Program that addresses both emotional well-being and practical daily needs, leading to better personal stability and offers several cost sharing opportunities to ease financial burden.
Program features:
- Counseling and mental health support
- Resources for day to day needs such as childcare, eldercare, household services, pet sitters and more
- Legal and financial consultations and discounted services
- Access to coverage at local MinuteClinic locations
- CVS Virtual Care - $0 or low-cost virtual care
- Teladoc Health - Connect directly with a board-certified doctor
- OTC Health Solutions - Every three months, subscribers receive a $35 allowance to spend on select over-the-counter health and wellness products at CVS
- Aetna Discount Program – Save on many health products and services
- Diabetes Meter Program- Provides a blood glucose meter
- Diabetes Program - No deductible and $0 cost-share for preferred insulin and diabetic supplies
- Maternity Support
- Artificial intelligence provider matching
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas offers an employee assistance program as a complimentary service in the large group sector. Whether facing stress, relationship challenges, or legal concerns, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas’ Employee Assistance Program offers practical, immediate solutions that improve well-being and enhance overall productivity without co-pays or deductibles.
Program highlights:
- 5 Counseling sessions and the ability to continue with the same therapist utilizing your plan afterwards
- Assistance searching for local and professional services like childcare, eldercare, pet care, moving, home repair and more.
- Legal assistance with divorce, adoption, wills and trusts as well as landlord/tenant issues
- Financial assistance with retirement planning, taxes, mortgage, insurance, budgeting, debt and bankruptcy
- 24/7 access to podcasts, articles, on-demand trainings, ask the expert and other self-service tools
Proactive
Proactive’s stand-alone Employee Assistance Program is a comprehensive solution designed to support the well-being of employees and their families while also offering unique employer support in crisis management, intervention and ongoing collaboration.
Program benefits:
- 24/7 immediate access to master-level clinicians and therapists
- Employees can give full access to unlimited loved ones for free including spouses, children, grandparents, parents, roommates, significant others and friends and family
- Assistance with personal and family issues such as:
- Health & Wellness
- Family Planning
- Financial Eldercare
- Legal Petcare
- Career Daily Living
- Childcare
- Education
- 24/7 assistance for HR managers in reference to performance problems, substance abuse, interpersonal conflicts, employee death and compliance.
- Crisis Management including 24/7 critical incident response, on-site assistance in less than 2 hours, onsite and virtual critical response planning, onsite and virtual grief groups and assessment and stabilization of at-risk employees.
Get the Most from Your EAP
EAPs are one of the highest-impact, lowest-barrier benefits you can offer. They give employees confidential, practical help when it matters most—and they help employers stabilize performance, retention, and costs. Because features and eligibility vary by carrier and vendor, the key is fit and visibility.
To get the most from an EAP, consider:
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Fit to your workforce: Confirm language access, family eligibility, visit counts, and specialized services (legal/financial, caregiving, crisis response).
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Clear access points: Put the phone number/site in the break room, onboarding packets, intranet, and share regularly in meetings; promote 24/7 availability and confidentiality.
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Manager enablement: Train leaders on when/how to refer employees and how the EAP complements your health plan, behavioral health, and leave policies.
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Ongoing promotion: Normalize use year-round (not just during crises) with monthly reminders and topical campaigns.
If you’d like help comparing the options above (bundled vs. stand-alone) or building a communication plan that drives real utilization, the Generous Benefits team is here to help.
