| Employees are an organization's most important resource. When they are troubled by personal or workplace issues, they are not working as productively or efficiently. Studies have shown that troubled employees have higher absenteeism, more personal accidents, a greater number of sick days, more morale problems, lower productivity and poorer workmanship than do their colleagues (Csiernik, 1996).
The Canadian Mental Health Association states that approximately 15% of all workers will develop emotional, physical or social problems that will interfere with their productivity. The Addiction Research Association estimates that between 10 and 15 percent of all employees will have an alcohol or drug addiction problem during the course of their working lives. Depending on the worksite, from 50 to 80 percent of on the job problems relate to problem drinking, family disputes, finances or emotional stress (Csiernik, 1996).
75%-80% of the total cost of serious illness is indirect due to lost productivity and opportunity. (source: Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorder in the 1990's; Greenberg et al., 1999).
Mental disorders cost British Columbians more than $1 billion each year in disability and lost productivity (source: Canadian Business and Economic Round Table on Mental Health, 2000)
Recent Canadian research demonstrates that depression in the workplace is a business crisis . It is a fact that mental health claims are the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada, overtaking cardiovascular disease. Workplaces across industries are challenged to find the right support at the right time.
A professional EFAP program can effectively help employees and employers. Interlock, as an EASNA accredited organization and leader in the EFAP field, is proactive and innovative in finding customized solutions.
Research findings include the following benefits for an EFAP:
- Health and Welfare Canada reported a yield of $9.00 per $1.00 invested (Goddard, 1989).
- The Royal Bank reported a $14.00 to $1.00 return on their EFAP investment (Goddard, 1989).
- The Hospital for Sick Children reported a 35% reduction in Worker's Compensation Claims, leading to a $134,000 reduction in premium costs, plus a $543,000 refund. On this criteria alone there was a $2.00 to $1.00 return on the EFAP investment.
- Burlington Northern Railroad claims a return of $14.00 to $1.00 for their EFAP (Bureau of National Affairs, 1987).
- Central Canada Grocers, in a two-year study, found that participants in their EFAP had decreased absenteeism by 71%, decreased lateness by 83% and increased productivity by 60%.
- Employers of choice recognize the need to visibly demonstrate to employees their commitment to work / life balance in a competitive business environment
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Interlock is an EFAP designed to provide an exceptional return on investment to all stakeholders. These stakeholders include the employer, employee, family and community. |
