Chamber Signs Agreement With Employee Assistance Network

One of the Chamber's long-term goals is to offer group health coverage to Chamber member businesses.   In the interim, however, the Chamber signed an agreement with Employee Assistance Network, a non-profit provider of employee assistance programs (EAP), on June 29, 2000.

"This EAP involves problem-solving counseling to help people with the problems of everyday life.  By using the EAP, people don't have to file against their health plan, keeping employers' rates low," said John Howard, executive director of Employee Assistance Network (EAN), at the press conference announcing the agreement between the Chamber and EAN.

All of us have personal problems from time to time.  But when a personal problem makes life difficult, it can also lead to difficulties at work.  The EAP is designed to help employees before their personal problems become work problems.

"A business' bottom line is often affected by employees with problems such as a stressful home situation, difficulties with children, legal and financial worries - this EAP plan will help people correct their problems and help employers keep their employees," said Jeannie Martin, director of Henderson County Partnership for Health and co-sponsor of this plan.

The problems treated by counselors in the EAP network include:  marital, stress, tension, family, work, alcohol/drugs, depression, financial pressures, sleep difficulties and more.  The EAN offices are located in Hendersonville, Asheville, Waynesville, Sylva and Franklin, North Carolina.

For $20 a year, employees and their immediate family are covered.  This coverage includes five visits to a counselor per year per problem.  Employees talk confidentially with certified, licensed professionals about their problems.  After five visits the problem may be resolved or the counselor and the patient will establish a plan for further assistance.

Included with the coverage is unlimited on-site and telephone training for business managers and supervisors.  EAN provides training modules, handouts and audio-visuals designed to orient employers and employees with the services and benefits of the EAP.  On-going orientation may be scheduled at intervals for new employees.

Brochures are available at the Chamber of Commerce describing the plan, available now to Chamber members.  To sign up or to get further information, please call Bob Williford at the Chamber (692-1413).  When we reach 100 people in the plan, the rates per employee will drop to $18 a year.  We hope you take advantage of the plan.