The Employee Assistance Society of North America (EASNA) recently conducted a survey of its members to determine how the current economic situation has affected employee assistance program (EAP) utilization. The survey found that EAP services are increasingly in demand for financial, legal and stress issues.

Survey respondents, which included EAP providers for-profit and nonprofit organizations and government agencies, showed an 88.2% increase in request for financial services, the highest single service area affected. Requests for help coping with stress were up 82.4%, while requests for legal services were up 41.2%. Requests involving domestic violence and those involving substance abuse were both up 11.8%.

Many EAP providers are working with companies hurt by the declining economy. More than 60% of respondents have seen an increase in the number of requests to assist laid-off employees, participate in downsizing efforts or otherwise assist in outplacement services.

EAPs, a critical component of a drug-free workplace programs, encourage employees to seek assistance with a variety of emotional issues and day-to-day problems, and employee assistance professionals are in a position to identify employees who have developed problems with drugs and/or alcohol before there are problems at work. During stressful times, substance use may increase as an unhealthy way of coping with additional worries. 

For more information about drug-free workplace programs, including employee assistance programs, addiction and treatment, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace Web site.