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Attract and Retain High-Quality Employees

Nov 6, 2020 | Uncategorized

Looking for a way to attract and retain your best employees? Look no further than an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefit! EAPs provide employees with the support they need to help manage life’s challenges that cause distractions such as stress, anxiety, depression and addiction. These factors directly affect one’s mental health, a topic often seen as taboo in the workplace. But good mental health is vital for optimal productivity and employee happiness.

How EAPs Help

Employee Assistance Programs shape your company’s culture to be positive and proactive. Embracing your company’s EAP shows that you value your employees both professional and personal well-being. That says a lot, in a country where many workplaces focus on getting the job done at the expense of employee stress and anxiety. Research also shows one in four adults (approximately 61.5 million Americans) experience mental illness in a given year. Even your hardest working employees can be going through something behind-the-scenes. You probably don’t know about it, but it’s impacting their ability to focus and produce their best work.

EAPs not only benefit the bottom line (they save employers between $79 and $105 billion annually in indirect costs associated with mental illness and substance abuse) but they also help to attract and retain great employees. Below are some tips for marketing your EAP during employee recruitment and increasing utilization of your EAP within the workplace.

Attracting New Employees with Your EAP Benefit:

Connecting with Millennials

Everyone seems to be buzzing about how to make their workplace more attractive to Millennials (who by 2020 will represent 40% of the total working population). An EAP will do just that.

According to Forbes, 88% of Millennials want “work-life integration.” Different from a work-life balance, they recognize that work and life blend together inextricably. Gone are the days when you can come home from the office and unplug. Similarly, employees are turning to their employers for resources that will help address personal challenges they may be facing.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy found that compared to older workers, younger employees seem to worry less about stigma when asking for help on mental health and substance use issues, approaching EAPs as they would any other resource need to achieve success in their jobs or resolve relationship issues.

Promoting Your EAP Benefit

To better market an EAP to prospective employees (specifically Millennials), keep in mind these prime times to promote:

Highlight the EAP benefit where they seek information about your company during the job application process.
Share information about the benefit on your company website, social media platforms and updated promotional material.
Talk about the benefit during the interview.

By doing so, you reiterate to the candidate your company values emphasize well-being.

Retaining Top Employees with Your EAP Benefit:

Turnover causes disruption in the workflow, increased workloads for those who stay on the job, and uses up a lot of time and money to screen and hire replacements. There are many factors that often go into an employee leaving their job. Your EAP benefit addresses many of those factors.

Addressing Turnover Through Your EAP

Below are statistics gathered from PsychTests, where 871 individuals answered questions about turnover probability:

Forty-two percent of individuals state they would quit their job due to a toxic work environment. Respondents said they’d leave their job because of office politics or if they were targeted by an office bully. Your EAP offers mediation services to help resolve workplace disputes and provides a safe and confidential environment to communicate their feelings, validate their concerns and explore alternative, healthier solutions to interact with others.
Thirty percent of respondents said they’d quit working due to sick parents or if they suffered a serious personal problem. An EAP helps employees better manage these situations by providing them with resources for coping with stress, along with legal and financial resources to get them through difficult times. By supporting your employees, you will find an increase in retention and a decrease in absenteeism.

Explore how EFR’s EAP helps employee’s manage life’s challenges.

From coffee to soda to energy drinks, caffeine is a part of daily life for many of us. And while it is naturally occurring, overconsumption can cause health problems such as increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. For this blog, we sat down with Susie Roberts, a Registered Dietitian to discuss all things caffeine—why it’s such a big part of our lives, how much of it is in the food items many people enjoy regularly, and how much is too much. We’ll also talk about current trends and tips on how to boost your energy naturally so you can stop relying on caffeine to keep you energized throughout the day.

Q: Just this morning, I heard someone say “I’m not caffeinated enough for this day!” It really is such a big part of our daily lives. Why do you think that is?
A: It’s not surprising at all to hear that! About 90% of American adults consume caffeine daily. People are looking for ways to boost their energy and increase alertness and caffeine is readily available and socially acceptable.

Q: So, what exactly is caffeine, and how does it work?
A: Caffeine is a natural stimulant that affects the central nervous system. After consumption, it’s absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain, where it blocks the effects of adenosine—a chemical that promotes sleep. This interference helps you feel more alert and awake.

Caffeine typically reaches your brain within 15 minutes, peaks in the bloodstream at 30 to 120 minutes, and has a half-life of 3 to 7 hours.

Q: Everyone knows that coffee and many soft drinks contain caffeine. But where else can it be found? If we are consuming these beverages and other items, how can we know the amount of caffeine we are getting?
A: Energy drinks have become very popular—especially among young adults. These contain not only caffeine, but may also have added sugars, so it’s a double whammy. Chocolate and many varieties of tea also contain caffeine. You may also want to check out any nutrition supplements or medications you are taking. And, many people may not realize it, but even decaf coffee contains a certain amount of caffeine.

Q: How much is too much when it comes to caffeine?
A: For most healthy adults, the FDA says up to 400 mg per day is safe. That’s about 4 cups of coffee. But you need to remember, that’s based on an 8 oz cup. Many people order an extra-large coffee, so you need to be aware of exactly how much you are taking in. Each individual reacts differently to caffeine based on their genetics, medications, and sleep habits.

How Much Is Too Much? Make Sure You Know Your Limits.

Q: What are the current trends in caffeine consumption?
A: As I mentioned before, energy drinks are increasing in popularity. They haven’t taken over coffee in the top spot, but Americans spent $19.2 billion on them in 2023 and that’s expected to rise to $33 billion by 2030. Coffee remains at the top, accounting for 69% of total caffeine intake, an increase of 15% in the last decade. And while the number of tea drinkers has dropped by 50%, those who drink it are consuming more.

Q: How can I be more aware about the amount of caffeine I’m getting?
A: Mindful consumption of caffeine is being intentional about what, when, and how much you consume. Track your intake and pay attention to any potential unwanted side effects like jitters or difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. Are you sleeping 6-8 hours a night and waking refreshed? If not, consider a “hard stop” 10 hours before your bedtime. Remember, that cup of coffee you had at 8 am can potentially still be in your system at 5 pm, so it’s important to time it right. And finally, if you decide you want to reduce your caffeine consumption, do it slowly to minimize any withdrawal symptoms such as headaches.

Be Mindful of Your Caffeine Consumption.

Q: Sometimes though, you need extra energy when you hit that afternoon slump. Can you suggest any alternative ways to get that boost and avoid turning to caffeine?
A: There are a few simple ways you can get that energy boost. First, make sure you are hydrated. Water supports joint health, oxygen delivery, temperature regulation, skin health, and more. You also want to move—even a short walk or stretch break can help. Make sure your meals are balanced with a protein and complex carbs. And most importantly, rest and recover. Sometimes rest—not more coffee—is what your body needs.

Q: So, what are your final thoughts on caffeine?
A: Caffeine can be part of a healthy lifestyle and may even offer some health benefits—but it’s all about balance and awareness. If you’re reaching for that third cup of coffee at 3 pm, pause and ask: Am I actually tired, hungry, or just in a habit? And then give one of the things we talked about a try, to get that energy boost naturally and see if that caffeine craving goes away.