What is an EAP
The EAP history is different in UK to other countries. in the beginning, EAPs spread to the UK in the late 1970s. The first EAP companies were formed in response to the demand for counselling and psychological services.
In the UK, as organisations sought to address wider work-life balance issues, EAPs added services such as legal information, health information, and child and elder health and support location services. EAPs really expanded following a series of high profile occupational stress related cases and HSE improvement notices. The most important case being Sutherland v Hatton in 2002 where workplace counselling was cited within Lady Justice Hale’s judgement: ‘An employer who offers a confidential advice service, with referral to appropriate counselling or treatment services, is unlikely to be found in breach of duty’.
EAP providers promoted their services to organisations as a means to offer this ‘duty of care’. The role of the EAP also expanded rapidly in the UK following the work by the Health and Safety Executive on ‘Stress Management Standards’ in 2005
This service saved me from waiting indefinitely on an NHS waiting list, which has definitely saved me from continuing on a downward spiral and ending up in a much worse position.
Using the service helped me to get back into full-time teaching. I have no idea how much longer this would have taken if I hadn’t used the service. I recognize that grief is uncertain process but I feel better equipped to deal with situation now, and can see that I’m making progress.