Employee Support Programmes (March 2009)
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What are they?

Commonly known as Employee Assistance Programmes, they originated in the US several decades ago, and since then they have grown to become an important part of employee benefit packages.

Employees are provided with a confidential information resource and support to assist with a range of issues including: financial, legal, family, relationships, work and all aspects of emotional well-being.

The Statistics
  • 91% of employees say they perform less well when dealing with a significant life event such as bereavement, illness, moving house, marriage, divorce and miscarriage. On average 1 day a week is lost when trying to cope with one of these events.
  • In 2003/4 an estimated 12.8 million days off work were attributed to work-related stress, anxiety or depression, making this one of the leading causes of work-related ill-health absence (HSE, 2004).
  • Work stress and related conditions are the second most commonly reported work-related ill-health problem in Great Britain, with an estimated half a million people suffering from work-related stress, anxiety or depression that they believe is making them ill (HSE, 2004).
  • Stress alone costs the economy £3.7 billion a year, with over half a million people currently suffering levels that make them ill. (Minister for Works)
Why Companies Should Consider ESPs?

National and international law obliges employers to address mental and physical health in the workplace, and comply with a range of employment legislation and government policy. In other words the law requires organisations to take action.

Work-related stress is a serious problem. Tackling it effectively can result in significant benefits for organisations.

ESPs also fit neatly alongside existing employee benefit schemes and are easy to assimilate.

If you would like to discuss how the introduction of an ESP could help your business and employees, please contact us.

Phone us on 020 7709 5560 or complete the online contact form