Are EAPs Worth The Money?

The average price of an Employee Assistance Programme has been reduced over recent years. Despite this, many of our clients still ask, “Are they value for money?”

EAP Stats

Employee Assistance Programmes 2013 Market Watch The cost of EAPs has fallen since the latest data quoted by the UK EAPA (2008). Today, the average benchmark cost of a full-service EAP for an organisation of 100 employees represents good value at £14 per person per year (although the price is likely to be significantly lower for larger organisations). Along with an increased range of services available to employees, the potential return on investment for employers has certainly grown in recent years. EAP usage figures vary between providers, and there is no universal method of measuring this. However, it is estimated that overall EAP usage during the recession is up, and, in line with this, the return on investment for users has also gone up. As a benchmark, a high usage figure within the industry is 16% when counting online EAP services and telephone helplines for support, information and counselling. Average programme use is around 10% of the workforce, but it can be as low as 2%.

Our thoughts – let us do the maths on one of our client schemes – anonymous

10,000 employees
£5.50 per head – six-session EAP
£55,000 investment

Data Review Of EAPs

We would have no idea if the 750 calls were from the same person or all different, as calls can be confidential
750 callers average 2 calls per day
102 people needed counselling – 1%
354 face-to-face sessions

Value review statement (1)- EAPs provide company-wide mental health support

1% of this population accessed counselling support – is this a high enough % of engagement considering the statistics below:

At any one time, one sixth of the working-age population of Great Britain experience symptoms associated with mental ill health, such as sleep problems, fatigue, irritability, and worry that do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of a mental disorder but can affect a person’s ability to function adequately (Office for National Statistics, 2001).

Our View Of EAPs

If you can help 1%, then it’s worthwhile.
To raise this percentage, greater engagement is needed, which requires considerable effort from the organisation and provider!
The value can be increased by incorporating the scheme into a vocational rehabilitation programme – thus supporting the 40% of absence cases that are mental health-related
Any EAP is valuable if part of a holistic mental health strategy – not used as a silo service.
Create an annual communications plan – most utilisation tailors off after the launch.

Value review statement (2)- EAPs are cost-effective

The average cost of a counselling session through a pay-as-you-go scheme is £55 per session.
If this scheme were pay-as-you-go, the investment in counselling alone would be £19470
This leaves £35530 for the telephone service and scheme management

Our View

EAPs are not for everyone.
EAPs are usually the cheapest and most hassle-free service by the economy of scale.
One alternative is an in-house service which may look cheaper but will have a lot of hidden costs which must be accounted for (scheme publicity, supervision, clinical governance, data management, telephone systems, people costs, and patient administration). The true cost can be a lot higher than the EAP.
To reduce costs initially, a telephone plus ad-hoc service may be useful.
The real way to increase cost-effectiveness is to maximise usage and impact the money you spend more. Work closer with your provider to raise engagement and ensure the EAP is integrated.