Don't forget about Employee Assistance Programs
- Barbara Giesing
- Dec 2, 2025
- 2 min read
Most organizations have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) if they offer any type of insurance. These resources may come through medical, dental or ancillary providers. Now’s a great time to remind staff about them as the holidays can be a time of high stress for everyone.
Holiday times bring their own chaos and heightened emotions. The idea that it’s a celebratory season where it appears others are out shopping at leisure, enjoying holiday shows or other sites, buying the perfect gifts, creates more stress to many who feel they’re in a constant scramble to get things done and may or may not have the money or time to support the needs. As with social media, our viewpoint is likely skewed, and it feels like others have found more hours in the day. In reality, most of us are scrambling and stressed.
EAP programs often provide free counseling services that may help relieve staff who are feeling stress and anxiety at levels that interfere with their lives. Pressures to find the perfect gifts, spend more than we should, eat more than we should, maintain productive work schedules and get it all done in record time can easily push us over the edge.
From a management perspective, this can be a busy time as many of our staff have saved their PTO for year end and are trying to utilize it before they lose it. This can stress others as there is often the need to pick up the slack and/or try to get everything done before they leave.
Regardless, taking the time and effort to remind staff that they free mental health and/or financial counseling available, may just relieve some anxiety of your staff. It also acknowledges the idea that we understand people have a lot on their plate. Being supportive can lead to happier and more productive employees and provide care for those in need.
Determine what help you have available and send out information as a holiday service to your employees!
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