The rapid pace of technological change – both what is available and how it is being used in the workplace – is a challenge and opportunity for HR, managers and EAP partners.

 

New behavioral health apps, chat bot apps and assessments, video conferencing and online training tools are being introduced to the marketplace on a regular basis.

 

Younger workers are very comfortable with, and often highly reliant on, technology. These workers are used to getting what they are looking for quickly and easily from their phones, tablets or computers. An effective EAP should support this mindset and your organization by making it very easy to connect to the EAP and its resources. Many EAPs offer multiple, easy ways to access services via an app, live online chat, or video calling. This enables anyone to get the assistance they want, when they want it.

 

Other efforts for making the EAP more engaging can include online screening and assessments of mental health, stress levels, or lifestyle or online eLearning, webinars and podcasts on a variety of subjects.

 

Apps & Chat Bots – Challenge and Opportunity

The majority of EAP professionals have positive feelings about the potential of apps to help employees and to expand the level of service that EAPs can provide. However, there is also concern about exaggerated claims being made as to the level of service an app can deliver.

 

Making sure that your EAP properly vets any apps that address the issues that appeal to your client companies and their employees is wise and helps ensure effectiveness for overall employee well-being.

 

On-Demand Support

The need for quick and accessible support is a critical element of a successful EAP, and something we wholly embrace at EANNC. We support today’s “always-on” workforce by providing convenient, 24/7 program access.

 

Because we offer comprehensive work-life and well-being resources, we consistently see increased usage of our services, which means more employees are engaging program services and getting the help they need.

 

An employee assistance program can be an enormous asset to your company, improving employee engagement and retention, and ultimately, benefitting your company’s bottom line.

 

If you’re interested in partnering with an EAP for your employees, contact us today. We’d be delighted to discuss how EANNC can serve your company’s needs.

Many managers assume that an employee’s mental health is none of their concern when, in fact, it can have an enormous impact on their performance, as well as that of their co-workers. It can also have a negative impact on the company’s bottom line. One in five Americans has a diagnosable mental health condition, so it’s a business imperative to make employee mental health a concern.

 

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that mental illness and substance abuse cost businesses between $79 and $105 billion yearly. Reduced productivity, absenteeism, and higher healthcare costs are just a few of the ways mental illness costs employers.

 

Creating a Healthy Workplace

A healthy workplace is one where workers and managers actively contribute to the working environment by promoting and protecting the health, safety and well-being of all employees.

Mental health interventions should be delivered as part of an integrated health and wellness strategy that covers prevention, early identification, support and rehabilitation.

 

A recent WHO-led study estimated that for every $1 put into scaled-up treatment for common mental health disorders, businesses realize a return of $4 in improved health and productivity.

 

How to Encourage Good Employee Mental Hygiene

It’s up to leadership to set the tone for a healthy working environment. Here are a few tips that can help.

 

Promote work/life balance. Management needs to walk the walk and talk the talk so teams will be comfortable knowing that their “me” time is valuable. Encourage employees to use their paid time off. Leadership must do the same to serve as role models.

 

No 24/7 email. Promoting an environment where employees are expected to be “always on” isn’t healthy. Volkswagen has a great employee-centric email policy: Email servers stop routing messages 30 minutes after the end of employees’ shifts and start again 30 minutes before they return.

 

End the cult of overwork. The pervasiveness of an always-on work culture can be harmful. It’s not healthy when employees compete to be last to leave the office, nor should it be a status symbol to continually talk about how busy they are. Productivity and performance should be the predictors of success, not hours logged.

 

Encourage the use of EAPs. It’s been proven time and time again that mentally healthy employees are more productive, have fewer absences, and are less prone to work-related injury. When management encourages their team members to use the services an EAP provides, employees gain confidence that they’re working in a supportive environment, which, in turn can improve satisfaction and employee engagement.

 

Employee Assistance Network has been helping companies and government organizations across Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee for more than 30 years. We are a recognized leading provider of Employee Assistance Programs, managed behavioral healthcare services and work-related training and education programs.  For more information or to download our overview brochure please visit www.eannc.com.