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March 3-7, 2026

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Better EAPs Equal Better Results

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1/9/2024

While many construction companies have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), they are historically underused. This, in large part, stems from them not being specifically tailored to employees’ needs – instead acting as more of a low-cost add on to the company’s insurance program. However, companies that neglect their EAP are wasting its potentially massive returns. The Employee Assistance Society of North America reports savings of $3 for every dollar you spend on an EAP, but that’s only when the program is well crafted. To create an EPA that benefits both your company and your employees, there are four important steps you need to take.

IDENTIFY THE NEEDS OF EMPLOYEES

Construction has long been plagued with mental health and substance abuse issues, but it is only recently that the industry has begun breaking down the stigma. In addition to offering mental health counseling services, a well-designed EAP will help employees with the core issues causing their mental health issues. By far the greatest reason employees don’t access mental health resources are the shame and stigma and the fear of judgement by their peers, so you should ask for ANONYMOUS feedback on the issues plaguing your workforce and select EAP services based on that feedback.

There are many services available in EAP programs, but some of the most common are:

  • Marriage and family counseling
  • Legal and financial assistance
  • Grief counseling
  • Mental health and substance abuse counseling
  • Crisis debriefing
  • Community referrals when employees need help beyond the scope of the EAP

FIND A PROVIDER

After identifying what you want your EAP to look like, it’s time to set a budget and start shopping around for providers. In terms of a budget, you should invest what you want to get out of the program. Low investments in an EAP will achieve poor results, and implementing one of these programs is all about protecting your human capital. Just like how you don’t want subpar repairs on your equipment, you don’t want low quality repairs for your people.

Finding a program that fits your company will take research, and not every EAP will fit every company. As you’re searching, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommends you ask providers a series of questions, including ones about the credentials of their staff and their on-site educational training services, to find the EAP that is right for your company.

COMMUNICATE TO EMPLOYEES

Behind the shame and stigma, the most common reason employees do not use EAPs are the fear of workplace repercussions and the lack of knowledge about how to access services. This is when it becomes vital for management to promote the EAP effectively. This promotion can include team trainings and documents like brochures, and if an employee from the EAP is able to go over their services to the employees, it gives them an even better sense of what they can expect from the program. You should also train managers and supervisors to refer employees to the EAP when they see them struggling as a proactive approach will help stop crises before they occur.

It’s vital that in all your communication regarding your EAP you emphasize that it is CONFIDENTIAL. If workers think the company will learn about their mental health issues, they won’t use the services out of fear of consequences in the workplace. By making the point that services are confidential in all communications, you’ll increase the likelihood that employees will utilize the services, improving your returns.

COLLECT FEEDBACK

Even after an EAP is implemented and initially promoted, the journey to perfect it never ends. You should continue to collect anonymous feedback on what employees think of the EAP and how they think it can be improved. As they provide feedback, implement the changes that are financially feasible and ensure those changes are communicated to employees. When they see that you care about their wellbeing, they will be more likely to take full advantage of the available resources, making it worth the money.

Photo credit: LEAF/BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

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