How to Choose an EAP Provider
Full Service Mental Health EAP Program Model With On-Site
This model includes all of the features of the Full Service Model package. The difference is that a designated consultant counsellor will be on-site scheduled and available. While on location the designated consultant counsellor is available to see employees in a designated office and make themselves known and available to management and employees for both formal and informal meetings and consultations. Employees have the choice of either being seen at the on-site office location or at any of the off-site offices.
Contrary to perhaps initial perception, at least 40% of employees elect to use the services at the on-site locations. The de-mystification of counselling that occurs by having the counsellor on-site and the counsellor becoming known and trusted by the organization and employees, yields other prevention interventions.
Con
- The only added expense in this model is the buying of the on-site time.
- Need for more of a commitment from the organization for promotion of the wellness service and the prevention programs.
Pro
- The other previously mentioned full service benefits.
- The on-site familiarity breeds trust and loyalty – leading to more prevention and proactive initiatives – leading to lower organizational health costs.
- Better prevention services and more informed organizational consultations by the consultant to the company.
- Supervisory, union and organization consultations are more readily requested.
- Better opportunity for the establishment of a wellness committee with representation from all levels of the organization.
The on-site service adds the following benefits to the organization and their employees:
- Through direct exposure, the consultant counsellor becomes aware of the unique elements of each particular corporate culture and any site-specific issues that may be effecting job employee engagement, satisfaction and work performance.
- As employees get to know the counsellor, existing societal fears and myths about counselling are dissipated, resulting in faster self-referral and increased utilization of counselling. Consequently employees are more likely to address and deal with their problems at earlier stages before they critically affect their work performance, personal relationships and/or mental health.
- Organizations instead of managing disability actually have an opportunity to prevent disability thereby controlling health costs.
