An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is an employer-sponsored program that makes services available to employees (and depending on the plan, their families) to help resolve personal or work-related problems. These problems are not necessarily work related, but they may affect an employee’s work performance.

Services could include health assessments, counseling and consultations, referrals to other services or treatments, basic legal assistance, etc. An EAP can help with a range of issues like workplace violence situations, marital or family issues, substance abuse, financial or legal issues, mental health, etc. Services may be conducted in-person or over the phone. The program gives employees access to licensed and certified professionals like drug counselors, social workers, psychologists, family therapists, attorneys, financial advisors, childcare specialists, and more. An EAP might be linked to a company’s health insurance or wellness program.

For employees looking to see if they have an EAP or to find out what services are available to them, they should contact their HR or benefits department.