For Subscribers

Offering an Employee Assistance Program The right EAP is good for employees--and for you.

By Jacquelyn Lynn

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

By providing a program to help employees whose performances are being adversely affected by personal issues, you can increase productivity and reduce absenteeism and turnover. An employee assistance program can deliver a hefty ROI--but the wrong one can be a waste of time and money.

Some services EAPs provide include assessment and counseling, emergency intervention, referrals for long-term or specialized care, and substance abuse expertise. EAPs may also provide services to the company, such as employee orientation, policy development and management consultation.

"Your EAP should be customized to your company, and no two EAPs should be exactly alike," says John Maynard, CEO of the International EAP Association in Arlington, Virginia. "The EAP provider needs to understand your company, the issues you're facing and the culture of your organization."

Maynard recommends meeting with several providers. Ask them how you can benefit from what they provide. Review their answers, decide what services you want, and put out a request for that package. "Take charge of the process," Maynard says. "It's your program."

Most large EAP providers aren't interested in small companies, so Maynard suggests networking in your business community to find area EAPs willing to give you personal attention. Find additional resources at www.eapassn.org.

Jacquelyn Lynn is a freelance business writer in Orlando, Florida.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic Pour $23 Million into an AI Training Center for Teachers

The hub will train teachers to use AI for tasks like generating lesson plans.

Science & Technology

How to Prepare Your Small Business for the Next Wave of AI Innovation

The future of AI for entrepreneurs isn't bigger models — it's better context.

Business News

Starbucks Is Looking to Remove Seed Oils From Some of Its Food Products

The coffee giant is also launching a new egg bite made with avocado oil.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Did 'Crazy Things' to Retain Employees, From Hot Air Balloon Rides to a Free Bentley: 'We Had No Turnover'

Corcoran sold her brokerage firm, The Corcoran Group, for close to $70 million in 2001.