Why UK Businesses Really Need an Employee Assistance Programme

Every day your people bring dedication, ideas and effort to work. But what if hidden pressures such as stress, isolation or financial worry are quietly chipping away at their wellbeing and performance? In the UK, mental ill health costs employers up to £56 billion every year through absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover (newleafhealth.co.uk, hoorayinsurance.co.uk). That is not just a moral issue, it is a financial one too.

Add to that the human side: one study shows only 13% of staff feel comfortable discussing their mental health at work (stribehq.com). But when employees do open up, the effects are huge. For every £1 spent on workplace mental health interventions, employers can get back £5 in reduced absence and turnover (stribehq.com, mentalhealth.org.uk).

In industries like construction, worryingly only 28% of firms even have mental health policies, despite the fact that workers face four times the average risk of suicide (thescottishsun.co.uk). Meanwhile, workplace stress in general leads to 17.1 million working days lost each year (mentalhealth.org.uk, ft.com).

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers confidential counselling, early support and practical advice that can turn things around. It helps staff feel seen, heard and cared for. That is how you cut absence, keep talent and show your organisation is not just about targets but about people.

Investing in an EAP is not a nice-to-have, it is a smart business move that brings people back to health and work faster. It is about building trust and creating a workplace where your team knows you have their back.