Employee Assistance Program

What Does Employee Assistance Program Mean?

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) consists of services designed to support employees whose personal or work-related issues impact their job performance. EAPs typically offer confidential counseling and referral services for employees and their family members. These programs are often included as part of employee health benefits, alongside health and disability insurance.

Insuranceopedia Explains Employee Assistance Program

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) originated in the 1960s in response to the growing issue of industrial alcoholism. Many companies established in-house programs to address alcoholism, which later evolved to encompass a broader range of issues, including family-related problems and drug use. Today, EAP service providers offer support for a variety of concerns, such as personal issues, job-related problems, relationship struggles, healthcare concerns, parenting challenges, substance abuse, financial difficulties, harassment, non-work-related legal issues, and family violence.