EAP Treatment Impact on Presenteeism and Absenteeism: Implications for Return on Investment

SUMMARY

This article reports data on increased work productivity resulting from the employee assistance program (EAP) treatment of employees. Participants (N = 155) had various psychiatric diagnoses and were seen in individual counseling by network clinicians. Measures of “presenteeism,” absenteeism, and degree of problem resolution were obtained from members' ratings. The results indicated that 80% of costs associated with lost productivity was associated with presenteeism, with absenteeism accounting for the remainder. Characteristics associated with lost productivity were energy level, concentration, and work quantity/quality. A return on investment (ROI) calculated using these data in a typical EAP indicated that for every dollar spent for the program, there is an expected return of between $5.17 and $6.47.

KEYWORDS:

• EAP
• presenteeism
• productivity
• return on investment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

George E. Hargrave

George E. Hargrave, PhD, ABPP, Independent Practice of Psychology, is a consultant to Quality Improvement at MHN, Sacramento, CA.

Deirdre Hiatt

Deirdre Hiatt, PhD, is Vice President, Quality Improvement, MHN, San Rafael, CA.

Rachael Alexander

Rachael Alexander is Quality Improvement Data Analyst, MHN, San Rafael, CA.

Ian A. Shaffer

Ian A. Shaffer, MD, MMM, is Chief Medical Officer for MHN, San Rafael, CA.