Helping employees in the aftermath of a workplace crisis
Workplace crises are an unfortunate fact of life and, depending on how serious they are, they may have far-reaching effects on an employee’s health, productivity, and livelihood.
Also known as critical incidents, workplace emergencies can include traumatic events like natural disasters, robberies, serious illness or death of a coworker, and industrial accidents. And while every precaution should be made to prepare for these incidents, employers should prepare just as well for their aftermath. That is why employers should consider offering their employees an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which can provide resources and support in their time of need.
The role of an Employee Assistance Program
Many workplaces offer EAPs to help employees with a variety of personal problems, such as legal and financial issues to child care, elder care, employee health, education planning, and more. But EAPs can also offer assistance immediately following workplace emergencies to help ensure that employees and their family members get the help they need, as quickly as possible.
In the event of a critical incident in the workplace, employers and managers can leverage the Employee Assistance Program to consult with their EAP case manager for advice, information, and guidance on how to proceed. The trained, advanced-degreed EAP professional will review the specifics of the incident and will help determine the appropriate level of response, which may include some or all of the following:
- Deploying an onsite response
- Consulting with employers and supervisory staff
- Offering training to manage stress response
- Delivering Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (CISD)
- Providing support services for affected family members
- Referring employees for individual counseling, and/or online resources and services
- Distributing educational recovery materials
- Delivering in-person or web-based seminars
Making a difference for employees
When employees receive the right support and assistance, they have the opportunity to become wiser and grow stronger. Many find that they are better able to cope with the critical incident and everyday stresses of life. Connecting with the EAP soon after the event can make a big difference in improving employee health and helping them get back on their feet quickly.
Interested in learning more about all of the services and benefits a workplace Employee Assistance Program offers? Visit Personal Life Management provided by Integrated Behavioral Health.
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