Definition: An Employee Assistance Plan is an employee benefit that covers all or part of the cost for employees to receive counseling, referrals, and advice in dealing with stressful issues in their lives. These may include substance abuse, bereavement, marital problems, weight issues, or general wellness issues.
The services are usually provided by a third-party, rather than the company itself, and the company receives only summary statistical data from the service provider. Employee's names and services received are kept confidential.
Also Known As: EAP
Examples: One of the company's benefits is an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) designed to provide confidential professional help to employees to cope with stress factors in their lives.
