With over one-third of the workforce comprised of millennials, the nature of employee needs from generations prior has changed greatly.
Employee assistance programs (EAPs) were originally designed to address employee drug and alcohol abuse problems but have expanded over the years to cover many aspects of mental health, family and work/life issues. Now money, stress and anxiety are the major contributors plaguing many employees due to fast-paced digital work environments.
An EAP can have a positive impact, but only if employees feel confident taking advantage of the program. Companies can foster a more open attitude around mental and behavioral health services by encouraging peer advocacy and employee groups to support the use of employee wellness and assistance programs. Studies indicate millennials are solution-focused and will seek out these programs—especially traditionally underutilized programs like financial coaching—if they are readily available and part of the workplace culture.
An additional consideration for the contemporary workforce is access to supportive services. Offering multiple platforms such as apps and telecounseling provides greater flexibility in how these services are accessed, resulting in greater mental and emotional wellness.
In a nutshell: By helping foster an open dialogue surrounding workplace wellness programs, EAPs can help employees—and younger employees in particular—better manage their stress and anxiety so they are better equipped to take on leadership roles in the future.