Businesses face unexpected challenges that can disturb the workplace and affect employees. Incidents such as natural disasters, pandemics and personal tragedies can generate anxiety and confusion for people. It is in these moments that an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) acts like a safety net. It is able to support staff, as well as employers, in trying times and offers them strength and resilience.
How can EAP help during crises?
EAPs are intervention programs designed exclusively for employees, providing professional help in dealing with a number of issues encountered at the workplace and also at home. In a crisis situation, these schemes provide precious emotional and practical support for people to confront the dilemmas they are faced with.
Key functions
- Emotional support: A crisis involves heightened tension and anxiety that leads to higher emotional stress. These programs connect employees with certified counsellors who can enable them to process their feelings, control stress, and develop coping skills.
- Practical concerns: Beyond providing emotional support for staff, EAPs also provide practical assistance like making emergency childcare arrangements, providing financial help during an emergency or temporary accommodation during a natural disaster.
- Workplace communication: Proper communication is essential in these situations. Most support programs will equip managers with training and resources that enable them to work compassionately with their team members.
- Organisational recovery support: EAPs help companies to develop recovery strategies that focus on the well-being of employees and help them to return to normal.
Types of crises
Every crisis is different, but EAPs offer versatile and adaptive support for every situation. Some of the common crises that EAPs play a significant role in are:
- Natural catastrophes
Natural catastrophes like tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, or bushfires can destroy people’s lives and businesses. These disasters result in the loss of property, displacement and trauma and can significantly affect employees’ lives. EAPs offer essential support during such times by providing the following:
- Trauma and grief counselling.
- Temporary accommodation or emergency services for overnight stays.
- Coping strategies to be used during the post-catastrophe period.
- Pandemics and public health emergencies
The COVID-19 pandemic was an unheard of catastrophe but it underlined the importance of employee well-being in a global crisis. It was extremely stressful for employees because of health issues, challenges with remote work, and social isolation. In such scenarios, EAPs offer:
- Virtual counselling sessions to enable uninterrupted access to mental health care.
- Support managing remote work challenges, such as maintaining work-life balance and staying creative.
- Health and wellness programs for physical and mental well-being.
- Personal emergencies
It is not just a global crisis that is traumatic of course, some crises are personal, related to the death of a loved one, serious illness or problems in the family. Here are some ways EAPs can help:
- Bereavement counselling and psychological care.
- Provision for legal or financial consultancy.
- Assistance in the adjustment of work, including flexible hours or leave planning.
Advantages of EAPs in crisis management
Both employees and organisations benefit by implementing an effective Employee Assistance Program during crises in the following ways:
- Increased employee wellness: The psychological and emotional well-being of employees can be adversely affected by trauma. EAPs help employees to receive professional support in a timely manner, which reduces stress and builds resilience. Staff who receive support are likely to bounce back faster and continue being productive.
- Build retention and morale: Employees will stay loyal for longer if an organisation shows care for their well-being, even in trying times. EAPs will give a business the image that it cares, so uplifting morale and working towards earning trust.
- Low absenteeism and productivity loss: Stress and mental health issues are leading to increased absenteeism and a decline in performance. An EAP acts proactively in these areas to minimise disruptions and ensure business continuity.
- Improved leadership skills: EAPs typically assist managers in responding to a crisis and communicating during it. This will prepare leaders with the ability to have critical conversations, listen supportively, and manage teams during uncertain times.
How to make an EAP effective
It is essential that employees are made aware of the program and how to access its services. Information should be communicated through various channels, such as email, posters and intranet portals. Confidentiality will also encourage workers to seek out services.
Let employees know that what they discuss within the program is safe and does not affect their job security. Managers should be trained to identify at-risk staff and refer them to services. This training should include instruction in crisis communication and empathy-building exercises.
Finally, It is important to conduct regular assessments to evaluate the program’s performance. Gathering feedback from employees can help companies to identify areas that need improvement.
The importance of an EAP in offering help to employees in times of crisis cannot be denied. Irrespective of whether it’s a natural disaster or personal emergency, the EAP can be there for both individuals and organisations to provide support through emotional and practical means.
As organisations in Victoria and other states strive to deal with the intricacies involved in running their businesses, investing in an Employee Assistance Program in Victoria shows a commitment to well-being at work and stability at all organisational levels.
By partnering with mental health professionals, such as those specialising in psychology in Bendigo, companies can form a basis for successful outcomes even in adverse circumstances.