Study Shows Benefits of Local EAP Services

A study recently released by Chestnut Global Partners Division of Commercial Science showed significant improvements across several measures of workplace productivity among employees accessing employee assistance programs (EAPs).

The study surveyed 1,782 employees on 5 measures of work performance and overall satisfaction:  absenteeism, presenteeism (being at work but distracted by personal issues), work engagement, work distress (dread or negative feelings about being in the workplace), and life satisfaction.  Study participants were surveyed at intake, when accessing EAP services, and then again in a follow-up 90 days later.  Among study participants, absenteeism was reduced by 37%, presenteeism fell by 22%, workplace distress was reduced by 12%, work engagement increased by 7%, and overall life satisfaction increased by 21%.  The lengthy interval between use of EAP services and follow-up suggests that the use of local EAP services produces long-term benefits for both employees and employers.

Continuum EAP, based in Lincoln, Nebraska and one of 14 Workplace Collaborative member organizations, completed its own study in cooperation with Chestnut Global Partners in 2015. Continuum’s data outperformed the overall results in presenteesim, work engagement and workplace distress.

Continuum EAP has provided employee assistance programs to Nebraska companies since 1974 and was the first Employee Assistance program in the state.  The company also offers training and organizational development, management consultation, and risk management services to its clients.

For more information about Continuum EAP, visit www.4continuum.com.