Are employee assistance programs required

You can request an appointment, proposal, or schedule training — all on their website. If you're interested in learning more about employee assistance programs, then check out our HR Certification Courses. Ulliance offers one of the most comprehensive employee assistance programs — focused on leveraging the power of content. The offers its EAP services through an app, which include:. You can request a quote on their website. Simply provide your contact information, and specify the areas you need assistance with along with a few other details.

Specializing in a wide range of healthcare services and with over 50 years of experience , Magellan Healthcare deserves a spot on this list. The EAP is a blend of various online tools, on-site services, and resources that can help your employees overcome personal obstacles related to legal, finance, identity theft, elder care, childcare, and other problems. A company that specializes in assistance, care, and behavioral health services, BHS is best known for offering one of the most robust and complete employee assistance programs.

They do so by offering professional counseling to your employees and their family members on different problems. To request a quote, you can get in touch with their sales team. They offer innovative and custom assistance solutions to both employees and students. Additionally, they claim that they have an affiliate network of over 4, counselors.

Creating and administering an employee assistance program for the first time can be intimidating. This decision depends on your budget, special requirements, and policies. Basically, you can choose from any of the following paths:. This should detail things like how your employees can access the EAP services, privacy concerns, additional information, and FAQs.

Conduct regular surveys to gauge where you stand in terms of engagement and performance. Additionally, you can even include specific questions about your new EAP. With a decent employee assistance program, you can experience better performance, higher growth, and above all, a happier and healthier workforce. The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against a qualified individual on the basis of a disability. The ADA protects both individuals with a disability and individuals who are treated as if they have a disability.

In , the EEOC noted in an informal discussion letter that requiring an employee to use an EAP may violate the prohibition of treating an employee as if they have a disability. Recent court cases have highlighted further issues with requiring employees to use an EAP.

In the case, the employee was in the midst of a volatile workplace romantic relationship, and co-workers reported concerns that the employee was behaving erratically and possibly contemplating suicide. White Lake Ambulance Auth. In sum, while an employer can require an employee to go to an EAP, they will be required to jump through some legal hurdles in order to avoid potential liability.

They must first show that the recommendation was not made because of a belief that the employee suffers from a disability, which can include mental-health issues. If they cannot do so, an employer can require a medical examination, such as counseling through an EAP, yet the counseling must be job-related and consistent with business necessity. State or federal law does not require employers to provide or pay for EAPs. Employers are also required to make reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of any employee who has enrolled in such a program.

Section , however, does permit an employer to fire or refuse to hire someone whose current use of alcohol or drugs makes him or her unable to perform job duties, or unable to perform them in a manner that would not endanger the health or safety of himself or herself or others.