People in the workplace should have a platform to assist with their work-related or personal problems. This is what EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is all about. Typical instances of problems that this platform can assist employees with include emotional distress, substance abuse, or occupational distress. Many companies outsource employee assistance program creation to professional providers.

Here are proven tips to help you set up an EAP successfully;

Search for a Provider

As pointed out earlier, many companies outsource EAP creation to experts. One of the great ways to find a provider is to ask for a referral from other businesses. Find out the service they engage in for their own employee assistance program. Subsequently, you can get the contact of the provider and contact them.

Another technique for finding a provider is to search with Google. This will help you find EAP providers near you. This will be basically a location-based search – e.g. “EAP service provider in Newark”. The advantage of using an online tool to search is that you can explore the provider’s website instantly for more information.

Analyze Your Preferred Individual Services

There are varieties of employee problems that an EAP can provide. So, when choosing a provider, ensure your preferred services are listed in a prospect’s portfolio. Some of the areas to consider include crisis counseling, wellness program, or stress management. You may also want managerial services along with an employee assistance program.

Examples of such managerial services that come with an EAP include the following;

• Guidance on employee discipline and work performance review
• Education and training
• Assistance with worker accommodation or implementation of return-to-work policies
• Management consulting

Assess a Provider’s Experience

You need to check the provider’s experience. Has the provider been in business for a substantial period of time? How many clients have they rendered services to successfully? You should get in touch with one or two references listed in their portfolio to confirm the provider’s claims.

Check If Counselors are Available

You wouldn’t want to be met with stories when your employees are in need of EAP counselors. So, check the rate of availability before committing to the contract. So, find out the number of counselors that are on the seat during business hours. Also, you should find out if your employees can access the counselors after typical business hours. Check how prompt someone responds to phone calls, as well as the abandonment rate.

Finally, you should notify your employees of the EAP made available for them. Your EAP provider can provide a poster that contains details on how to reach the counselors. Hang such posters in strategic places such as hallways and break rooms.

Daven Michaels is a New York Times Best Selling Author and CEO of premiere global outsourcing company, 123Employee. The company employs hundreds of young bright individuals on three continents. His International event, Beyond Marketing Live! Inspires entrepreneurs to build & grow their business with revolutionary new theories and systems allowing them to design the business and personal lifestyle of their dreams.