At any given time, one of every five workers is experiencing personal problems serious enough to interfere with job
performance. These employees cost businesses an average of one-third of their salaries in lost productivity, have up to
16 times more absenteeism, four times more on- and off-the-job accidents, and account for three-and-a-half times more health benefit claims than other workers. Helping employees effectively resolve situations that impact their work performance is one of the best investments an
employer can make. Consider these facts:
The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that the future will bring a dramatic increase in mental health problems, calling it “a crisis of the 21st century.”
Depression affects 19 million Americans per year (nearly 10% of the population), roughly ten times its prevalence just fifty years ago. Despite the fact that depression is both the most common and the most highly treatable of any mental health
diagnosis (more than 80% who seek treatment find relief), only one-third of depressed people seek help.
Recent WHO statistics cite depression as the leading cause of death and disability in America. Untreated depression is as costly as heart disease or AIDS, costing the U.S. economy almost $42 billion in absenteeism and decreased productivity.
A recent 20-year study concluded that unmanaged stress was a more dangerous risk factor for cancer and heart disease than either cigarette smoking or a high-fat diet. Stress is said to be responsible for more than half of the 55 million workdays lost
annually because of absenteeism.
Stress and substance abuse comprise more than 25% of employer health costs.
Employees with drug and alcohol problems cost U.S. corporations an estimated
$120 billion per year in lost productivity.
Managers spend up to 20% of their time resolving disputes and dealing with
problem employees (tasks which an EAP can perform expertly and effectively).
Replacing an employee costs a company an additional one-third to one-half of the employee's annual salary (U.S. Department of Labor).
Trends such as these account for the growing number of employers turning to Employee Assistance Programs to help keep their workforce healthy and productive. Sixty-seven percent of all companies have EAPs. Maintaining employees' mental and emotional well-being not only results in a healthier, more productive workplace, but a significant cost savings as well.
A sound strategy for a
healthy bottom line.