Upgrade your EAP: Big Health's modern approach to employee well-being

Nearly all employers offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), yet shockingly few employees utilize them. Why the disconnect? The services offered by EAPs are valuable, but they simply aren't easy or convenient for today's employees.

Enter Big Health's new EAP solution: a reimagined program designed for the modern employee. We combine technology-driven solutions with proactive engagement and clinically-backed techniques to support the comprehensive well-being your team needs.

The problem with traditional EAPs

Theoretically, EAPs should serve as a lifeline. Everyone benefits from help at times, whether it's to navigate personal issues, resolve work problems, or tackle legal matters. 

Unfortunately, many EAP programs create more frustration than relief. Imagine a working parent struggling with anxiety and burnout while trying to balance a career alongside childcare. When they turn to their EAP for help, they find it is:

• Tough to access. Modern life relies on text, email, and messaging, yet many EAPs remain stuck in the past, requiring phone calls during business hours. This creates a major hurdle for the employee who can’t easily find a private space for such calls. 

• Bureaucratic and time-consuming. When the employee finally manages to call the EAP, they are transferred multiple times and made to repeat the same information — only to be told that the first available appointment with a counselor is weeks away.

• One-size-fits-all. The employee needs practical help finding reliable childcare, managing anxiety, and achieving work-life balance. Yet the EAP's focus on crisis management leaves them wondering if their problems are not serious enough to warrant using the service.

• Stigmatizing. Sensing the EAP's focus on emergency intervention, the employee worries that using it will be seen as a sign of weakness, potentially jeopardizing their reputation at work.

In the end, the employee hangs up, feeling more discouraged and isolated than before. The experience leaves them dreading future attempts to use the EAP, making it more likely they will avoid seeking help altogether.

The Big Health difference

With Big Health's EAP, we eliminate these common obstacles. We put utilization at the forefront by removing barriers, actively addressing stigma, and streamlining the entire process. Here's how:

• Anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Big Health's EAP offers 24/7 support through phone and web — so employees can communicate via call, video, chat, or text whenever and wherever is most convenient.

• Expert help from the first call. Every call is answered by a master's-level counselor, providing expert guidance from the first interaction. This eliminates the frustration of non-clinical screenings, multiple transfers, and long waits. Our focus on quick resolution and tangible action plans builds trust, making employees more likely to follow through with the support they need.

• No problem too small. We combat the "one-size-fits-all" and "crisis-only" stigmas with ongoing awareness campaigns and a focus on personalized support. This proactive approach encourages employees to use the EAP for a wider range of needs and normalizes seeking help.

Our focus on easy access and high-quality care eliminates common EAP barriers, maximizing employers’ return on investment in employee well-being. This results-driven approach delivers quantifiable value, tracked through our comprehensive reporting dashboard.

An expansive well-being toolkit

Plus, Big Health's EAP goes beyond traditional support with innovative programs including:

• Aware Mindfulness. This structured, six-session program offers a holistic approach to well-being, providing an alternative or complementary technique for those seeking mindfulness practices.

• Work-Life Services. This solution offers consultations, information, and referrals to address practical challenges such as dependent care, daily living, legal matters, and finances, along with personalized recommendations for qualified providers.

• Manager Assist. This program offers phone-based guidance for managers on a range of challenges, including attendance, performance, conflict, substance abuse, and team morale. It also helps managers understand EAP referrals for more comprehensive employee support impacting productivity and well-being.

We believe in making EAPs accessible and effective for all employee needs, big or small. That’s why we crafted Big Health’s EAP specifically to address the demands of the modern workforce — offering innovative tech tools, immediate support options, and a diverse range of programs tailored to a variety of needs.

Ready to elevate your employee experience? Contact us to learn more about Big Health's EAP.