Betty Lang-Holmes had been on the job for one week when tragedy struck her software company, Ipswitch, Inc. An employee's well known significant other passed away unexpectedly. As vice president of human resources, Lang-Holmes acted quickly.
"We invited a licensed counselor from our EAP to host bereavement seminars the very next day," says Lang-Holmes, who has now been with the high-tech firm for almost three years.
The results were astounding. Following one-on-one sessions and first-time bereavement counseling for many of the 123 employees, about 90 percent of the company attended either the wake or the funeral, despite the three-hour drive from the company's Lexington, Mass. headquarters.
"Now, there's no stigma attached to getting help," Lang-Holmes says. Following the initial sessions, she decided to partner with a 24-hour employee assistance program (EAP). Lang-Holmes chose Kathleen Greer and Associates of Framingham, Mass. for their service and professionalism. For $8,000 a year, Ipswitch connects employees and their families directly to trained counselors and services through a toll-free confidential number. The annual fee also covers three to five personal counseling sessions as well as a referral if more counseling is required (the company's insurance policy will continue to pay).
"Whole wellness is very important at Ipswitch," says Lang-Holmes, who often shares her own experiences using the EAP with other employees. "We are all human, and we all need help at some point in our lives. It's important to know your company is there for you."
Implementing an EAP requires an investment of $65 for every employee – just pennies compared to the costs of losing a valued associate, according to the human resources department. While an EAP offers support dealing with grief and bereavement, it also supplies information and counseling on childcare, elder care, addiction, and legal or financial trouble. First-time homebuyers and families looking for nannies can also find resources via the EAP.
For Traci Casparius, a contract administrator who has been with Ipswitch for three years, having access to legal assistance and counseling during a separation from her husband made a big difference. "That really showed that the company is into helping you grow," she says. "This is a very people-friendly place."
While the company does not receive specific information about those who use the service or the reason for their calls, the program's administrators provide statistical feedback comparing national averages with the concerns of Ipswitch employees. If many employees are struggling with work-related stress, Lang-Holmes can implement on-site programs to alleviate those growing concerns right away. "Hot fudge sundae parties, apple pie days and cook-offs work well for us," she says.
Ipswitch also sends information about the EAP through company-wide e-mails, and the human resources department displays awareness posters in highly visible areas. These practices have garnered high utilization rates for the EAP. Nearly 30 percent of employees have used at least one of the services provided. According to Lang-Holmes, awareness and access to local, face-to-face counseling have made a big impact on the total wellness of Ipswitch employees. "The best news of all is that 93 percent of the issues brought to the attention of the program and its trained counselors are solved," she says.
When choosing an appropriate Employee Assistance Program for your company, consider the advice of Lang-Holmes:
Company: Ipswitch, Inc.
Website: www.ipswitch.com
Industry: Software development
Location: Lexington, Mass.
Number of employees: 140
Sales: N/A
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