EAP Assist is Australia’s leading Employee Assistance Program provider with immediate confidential counselling support and advice services to all Piety Group employees. Since we implemented this program in 2021, we’ve seen the benefits this program has on our employee’s health and well-being.

EAP Assist has a positive knock-on effect directly to businesses, through staff attendance and importantly, productivity.

Previous research has shown that EAP counselling client satisfaction is generally around 95%.

This correlated with marked improvements in employee absenteeism, productivity plus identified a positive impact on Workers Compensation.

Measuring improvements from EAP

The following improvements were found over a 6-week period of 1000 EAP clients –

• 86% in emotional well-being – at any given time, an estimated 20% of the workforce is struggling with personal problems that impact their job
• 50% in work moral and motivation – Employee satisfaction has been correlated with a positive adherence to company culture and guidelines
• 45% in work-life management – a failure to manage a work-life balance is the main reason for employee termination. EAP programs promote happier, long-term employees
• 36% in absenteeism
• 27% in work relationships
• 24% in work productivity

EAP benefits can also be assessed by measuring –

1. Human capital component (savings in reducing absenteeism and turnover and improving productivity and engagement/morale)
2. Health care value component (workers compensation and salary continuance insurance savings)
3. Organisational value component (savings across safety risks, employee grievances and legal claims as well benefits in providing employee concern and support).

What are the benefits for employees?

1. Free access to mental health services for you, your relationship and your family to identify and resolve any problems impacting your life
2. Confidential – your employer does not have to know it was you (or someone from your family) who has accessed the EAP unless you choose to disclose this with them
3. Convenient (sessions can be accessed in person, via phone or telehealth such as video conference)

Australian workplace mental health stats

Work-related mental health conditions take a huge toll on worker health and productivity, with the negative impact felt by individuals themselves, their families & colleagues.

Work pressure, work related harassment or bullying, and exposure to workplace or occupational violence are all significant causes of work-related mental health conditions.

On average each year between 2012-13 to 2016-17:

• 6% of all serious workers compensation claims were for work-related mental health conditions.
• 7,140 Australians were compensated for work-related mental health conditions.
• 92% of serious work-related mental health condition claims were attributed to mental stress.
• 42% of serious work-related mental health condition claims were made by males & 58% by females.

The occupations most at risk of work-related mental health conditions were:

• Defence force members, fire fighters & police – 9% of serious mental health condition claims
• School teachers – 8% of serious mental health condition claims
• Health and welfare support workers – 6% of serious mental health condition claims

The types of mental health conditions for which workers received compensation:

• Reaction to stressors – 37%
• Anxiety / stress disorders – 31%
• Post-traumatic stress disorder – 12%
• Anxiety / depression combined – 11%
• Depression – 4%

The main causes of serious mental health condition claims were:

• Work pressure – 21%
• Work related harassment or bullying – 20%
• Exposure to workplace or occupational violence – 10%

Note: “Serious” workers’ compensation claims relate to those claims where the injury or illness has resulted in one or more weeks off work.

As seen in EAP Assist.