EAP Assist

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Workplace stress is a serious issue for Australian employers. It is an issue that has no respect for position or seniority – it is just as likely to a­ffect a new recruit in the post room as the chief executive. We are expected to work longer hours than ever before,...

We often spend a lot of time pursuing a healthy work-life balance, however, sometimes it can seem like an impossible goal. Being always on the job does not help you achieve tasks quicker, it can actually slow down productivity. Finding a healthy balance between work...

Smiling releases happy and healthy hormones. We win in so many ways when we smile. It is one of the most basic biological functions for humans. We are born smiling and even in the womb we smile. Even blind babies smile at the sound of the human voice. Serotonin, one...

Burnout is a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism and detachment, and feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. When suffering from it, you are unable to function effectively on a personal or professional...

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New research suggests that stress can literally shrink your brain. Middle-aged people with high levels of the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol also perform worse on memory tests than those with average levels of the hormone. Professor Sudha Seshadri, who led the study, said:...

EAP Assist has introduced a further four new technology driven digital programs free for members providing research based on-demand prompt, accessible & flexible support imcluding: A Mental Health Wellbeing Program, A Dietary, Exercise & Alcohol Program, An...

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For HR professionals it’s crucial to understand what drives different segments of employees to consider jumping ship, even if they’re happy – or worse, stay even when they’re not happy – and what it takes to keep a diverse talent pool engaged and performing at their...

Mobile phones make us feel as though we are more productive and can get things done quickly when the evidence shows they reduce our ability to be productive. Also, recent research from Munich shows that the more you use your mobile phone, the lower your overall...

Despite ongoing work to improve suicide prevention efforts in Australia, there has been no significant reduction in the suicide rate over the last decade. In 2015, there were 3027 deaths by suicide, or an average of eight deaths by suicide each day. Approximately 75%...

Much evidence shows that most of us are better off mentally and physically when we're employed and that striking the right balance of work, rest and play in a supportive workplace is the best bet. Regardless of whether your stress is due to an insurmountable workload,...

Data compiled by the Workplace Mental Health Institute indicates that stress-related workers’ compensation claims are costing the economy over $10 billion every year while work pressure, harassment and bullying accounts for around 75% of all psychological injury...

There are lots of reasons why people might have low self-esteem, but most of the time the roots go back to childhood and the view that you might have internalized as a result of criticism or negative messages you heard and, perhaps, believed (and still believe). Maybe...

Globally, anxiety disorders are the sixth-leading cause of disability (defined by years of life lived with disability), with greater rates of disability occurring in females and in people aged 15 to 34 years (Baxter et al., 2014; Hendriks et al., 2014). Anxiety...

We don’t survive trauma as a result of conscious decision-making. At the moment of life threat, humans automatically rely upon survival instincts. Our five senses pick up the signs of imminent danger, causing the brain to “turn on” the adrenaline stress response...

No business is immune to the effects of domestic violence, but organizations can take action to protect their employees while minimizing their risk. The effects of domestic violence are not limited to victims with at least 44% of those who work with a victim of...

Goals define your life whether they are unconscious or conscious. They shape your relationships, your education, what you want to achieve at work and how you approach life. Setting goals can give you a picture of how you would like your life to be. In order for you to...

Informal workplace complaints are unfortunately something that managers have to handle on a regular basis: whether it's an employee letting off steam and having a whinge about their colleagues or something more serious that an employee just wants to get off their...

We all know that quality sleep is essential for health. Sleep is the prime time for our bodies to clean house, repair, rejuvenate, and even burn fat. When was the last time you popped out of bed feeling rejuvenated? Whether it is getting to sleep or staying asleep,...

Many people spend a lot of time and energy trying to get rid of their upsetting thoughts and worries. The newest research in helping people who are overwhelmed by their worries and intrusive thoughts is to encourage people to stop trying to get rid of them. This may...

Data compiled by the Workplace Mental Health Institute indicates that stress-related workers’ compensation claims are costing the economy over $10 billion every year while work pressure, harassment and bullying accounts for around 75% of all psychological injury...

The two main bodily symptoms of a panic attack are breathing too fast and an increased heart rate. These symptoms can begin up to an hour before a panic attack, although people often do not notice them until the last moment. One of the best ways of dealing with a...

Wellness and self-care may seem like the buzzwords of the moment, but it is true that we are leading lives that seem more and more demanding on our physical and emotional wellbeing. Though we try to resist it, it is a struggle to sometimes keep up with modern...

While workplace injuries and deaths are decreasing, more compensation claims for mental health issues are being made. The economic cost of work-related injury and disease has been estimated by Safe Work Australia as $61.8 billion per annum for the 2012-13 financial...

A recently published paper in the Lancet involving a 14-year observational study of more than 100,000 people looked two types of work stress: job strain (having high work demands and low control over them) and effort–reward imbalance (putting in lots of effort but...

The Human Rights Commission has estimated that violence from an intimate partner affects one in six Australian female workers. Therefore, at some point employers will encounter an employee who has experienced family violence. Evidence shows that support provided by...

Statistics from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s emanating from a 2018 national survey of 10,000 Australians representative of the working population found: 43% of respondents reported having experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lifetime on the...

Don’t shy away from the conversation Don’t avoid the staff member and don’t avoid yourself. If it causes you to have a reaction, you need to notice that and respond. Start a conversation, maybe by asking how the funeral was. People ask about weddings all the time,...

In this ultra-competitive recruitment and hiring environment, retaining current employees is a critical component of firm success. Not only is a low turnover rate good for the bottom line, but it also means you are creating and building upon a firm foundation for the...

If you have experienced a traumatic incident in the recent past please answer the following questions with a Yes or No response:   Do you avoid being reminded of the experience by staying away from certain places, people or activities?   Have you lost...

It is likely that many, if not all, of your employees, use social media. Many of their profiles will have references to their job somewhere on their page or throughout their account history. Often, employees positively use social media, however, some employees may...

Why are more employers focusing on workplace mental health? Because they recognize it is costly to ignore. Depression costs employers billions each year in lost productivity. About half of employees with depression are untreated. Yet with proper treatment, people with...

A National Safety Council survey report recently released found 69% of employees – many of whom work in in safety-critical industries – are tired at work, increasing the risk of injuries and incidents on the job. The report summarizes the results of two national...

Grounding techniques are a set of tools used to assist individuals to stay in the present moment during episodes of intense anxiety or other over-whelming emotions. Staying in the present moment allows people to feel safe and in control by focusing on the physical...

Stigma remains a major barrier to people with mental health issues, such as depression, getting help when they need it. This leads to conditions worsening, often along with job performance and many other aspects of life. There are effective ways to combat stigma and...

The K10 is widely recommended as a simple measure of psychological distress. Answer the following ten questions using the scale below: None of the time A little of the time Some of the time Most of the time All of the time   In the past 4 weeks, about how often...

Anger is a useful emotion when used well. It can get you moving, stimulate you to be honest (say something you’ve been meaning to say), give you the energy to protect yourself or your values, to stand up for something. Used inappropriately, it can lead to aggression...

Relaxation has been described as ‘a state of consciousness characterised by feelings of peace and release from tension, anxiety and fear’. The term is usually taken to mean either lack of muscle tension or lack of inner ‘mental tension’. It is now recognised that...

Depression is one of the most common, and most stigmatized, illnesses of our time.  Emerging research finds even more evidence that exercise can help ward off depression in some people. Exercise is one of those recommendations everybody loves to dish out. It’s easy to...

The ‘Employee Experience’ has five major dimensions: Belonging – feeling part of a team, group, or organization Purpose – understanding why one’s work matters Achievement – a sense of accomplishment in the work that is done Happiness – the pleasant feeling arising in...

Rude emails come your way most days. They may not be blatantly “rude”, but they are rude in the sense that they annoy you one way or another. Either the sender is demanding things from you quickly, or interrupting you when you want peace and quiet, or they are poor...

What is Ergonomics? “Ergonomics” is a word being used more frequently, as companies become aware of the importance of safety and comfort. Ergonomics is the science of how human physical abilities and limitations interact with the layout and properties of the...

A longitudinal study examining the patterns of depressive symptomology demonstrated that individuals with depression tended to report elevated symptoms during winter. So if you often experience low mood during this time, you are definitely not alone. What causes us to...

TOP 10 BAD BOSS BEHAVIORS Takes credit for your work Doesn’t appear to trust or empower you Doesn’t appear to care if you're overworked Doesn’t appear to advocate for you when it comes to monetary compensation Hires and/or promotes the wrong people Doesn’t back you up...

The checklist below will help you to discuss with someone you trust your feelings of possibly being depressed. Recognizing early warning signs may assist in finding finding the support that’s needed to help overcome depression. Please also know that if you are...

While drug testing, as a means of managing alcohol and other drug related risks in the workplace is a valuable tool, is has a number of significant limitations. Including: a positive test for alcohol and other drugs is not in itself evidence of impairment of ability...

The cost of workplace aggression in Australia is said to amount to around $3 billion annually. Workplace anger happens when people are unable to contain their anger in a workplace environment. Workplace anger includes inappropriate behaviour such as: yelling pushing...

A recent United Nations report on worldwide drug use showed that, per capita, Australia has the highest rates of dangerous and illicit drug use in the world. In effect, Australians are the world’s highest users of Ecstasy, Ice and Cannabis. Key facts about alcohol and...

Stress management Some stress is normal, but when it becomes chronic and unmanaged, it can be debilitating. This not only hurts employee well-being but also costs employers a lot in lost productivity. 33% of workers indicate that they always, often or sometimes miss...

The right environment for staff can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing as well as on their job satisfaction and productivity levels. Physical design can affect our mental health and happiness. For example, research has shown that air quality and...

Loneliness in the workplace is on the rise and is proving detrimental to worker well-being and bad for business. Nearly 75% of Australians experience loneliness. For many it’s not an occasional occurrence but a persistent problem, with one-third saying that they feel...

A recent study from a Japanese university has reported that the bond between dogs and owners is similar to the bond of a mother and new baby. The researchers found that just by looking at each other, humans and dogs experience a spike in the “Happy Hormone” or...

Many people who drink moderately put themselves and others at risk of alcohol-related harms. These people often believe that only “alcoholics,” people who are dependent on alcohol, cause car accidents or bar brawls. They believe that because they are not dependent...

Recent psychological research findings indicate that a small amount of generosity towards others makes people happier. Even just promising to be more generous was enough to trigger changes in our brain that lead to greater feelings of happiness. Brain scans revealed...

The health and wellbeing of employees is suffering with up to 87% of the world’s workers reporting being disengaged and a sedentary office culture being linked to lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. This five-step checklist can guide...

Emotional agility is marked by an individual’s ability to experience their thoughts, emotions and experiences in a way that doesn’t drive them in negative ways, but instead encourages them to reveal the best of themselves. This is an essential skill in the complex...

Spot signs of stress: Poor sleep and impaired performance Irritability and a tendency to be overwhelmed Interpersonal conflict and grievances Frequent absence being used to manage stress Low engagement and job satisfaction Frequent accidents or mistakes   How to...

Nearly one third of Australians perceived some form of age-related discrimination while employed or looking for work, starting as early as 45 years of age, with men and young people being more likely to exhibit ageism. Among people under thirty years of age, ageist...

Thoughts of suicide are a common symptom of mood disorders 80% percent of suicides are carried out by individuals suffering from a depressive illness 50 to 80% percent of seniors who commit suicide have a history of major depression Women suffering through a...

Sleep deprivation is a serious workplace issue and becomes even more of a concern if employees are doing things like operating vehicles, working with heavy machinery or providing medical care. Recent research has found evidence that sleep isn’t just a “nice to have,”...

‘Mindfulness’ means paying attention to the present moment. Practising mindfulness can help you cope with everyday life and deal with tough times. Here are some different strategies you can use to build mindfulness, plus tips on what to do if you’re finding it hard....

Why progressive muscle relaxation is useful Progressive muscle relaxation is an important way to reduce stress and anxiety. When you feel stressed out or anxious, or if you have an anxiety disorder, you often develop really tight muscles. The good news is by learning...

Dress to impress What you wear to a job interview makes a strong first impression – good or bad! Don’t panic, you don’t need to buy a suit if you’re after a job at the local supermarket. Just make sure you have an outfit that is neat, simple and conservative. Avoid...

Your resume (sometimes called your "CV") is your most important tool when applying for a job. It doesn't matter how qualified you are, or how much experience you have - if your resume is poorly presented or badly written, you're going to have trouble getting the job...

There are things you can do to help improve your mood. You might not notice a difference straight away but practising these skills each day can help overcome the ‘cycle’ of depression, where feeling bad about yourself leads you to doing less and feeling worse: Track...

Many employees find themselves experiencing financial difficulties for a variety of reasons, including poor budgeting skills. They will then sometimes turn to a financial support service, which often places them under further financial stress. A free alternative is a...

In Australia one in six women have experienced violence at the hands of a current or former partner. Domestic violence is estimated to cost the Australian economy $21.7 billion a year. 94% of employees agree that employers should take a leadership role in educating...

Bullying in the workplace has an undeniable financial and personal cost for the victims. Workplace bullying affects businesses, bystanders and even those who may be accused of the unreasonable conduct. The risk of experiencing mental health issues is increased when...

Set a Leadership Example “The boss is mentoring John Smith on his presentation skills, I wish it was me”. Employees talk amongst themselves and good news travels fast setting the tone for workplace morale. Employees are also making conclusions about the type of leader...

Plan for them When you know that you may become emotional, plan in advance how you will manage tears, frustration or anger in a way that preserves your dignity and well-being.   Write it down When you write down your fears, hurts or concerns, they often lose...

Sometimes we are unable to choose what happens to us, but it may be possible to choose how we manage our response. When you are stressed the following may occur: Muscles tighten Heart beats faster Blood pressure rises Breathing becomes shallow Perspire more Jaw...

Most of us spend a significant amount of time every day doing things to ensure our physical health but not so much time doing things to improve your mental health. By practicing self-care and self-calming you can develop a more positive attitude towards life, control...

Depression costs Australian employers an estimated $4 billion each year in lost productivity. About half of employees with depression are untreated. Yet with proper treatment, people with depression can get better. The key is to help employees access effective care....

Email overload is a reality. We get more emails than we want, more emails than we need and more emails than we can handle. Each year we see study after study saying we are spending more and more time each day just handling emails with the average office worker now...

While employees know that they need to clock a certain number of hours to get their job completed how and where they spend that time often allows space for choice and flexibility. When employers foster autonomy they enable their employees to feel they have ‘agency’ in...

A 2017 workplace report examining employee benefits found that one perk stood out among the rest: workplace flexibility with employees demanding more autonomy and control over their working lives. 53% of employees said that a role that provides greater work-life...

There are many reasons employees may feel stressed at work – job insecurity, interpersonal conflict, lack of control over workflow, and so on. These require close attention, and perhaps a culture shift, but as an employer there’s one source of stress you can target...

Sleep deprivation is linked to many health risks that make it nearly impossible for employees to bring their best selves to work. Sleep deficiency decreases productivity and increases absenteeism and presenteeism – the phenomenon where employees are present on the...

Electronic devices can cause stress and sleeplessness that affects working lives. The recent Waking up to the sleep problem research based on the responses of 97,000 employees in 33 industries and 139 countries warns employers that constant connectivity to mobile...

Bullying in the workplace can impact an employee's psychological safety and the overall psychological health and safety of the workplace. Unaddressed aggression or unresolved conflicts among co-workers have the potential to escalate into a crisis in the workplace. A...

Approximately one in five Australians aged 16-85 experience mental illness in any given year, with 45.5% experiencing a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. Approximately one in five adult Australians are above the healthy weight range, have higher...

Sometimes when we are struggling it's hard to step back and get a clear look at how we are doing. Here are questions you can ask yourself to help you get a picture of what's going on with you. If you find that you are agreeing with these statements you may want to...

Creating and maintaining healthy daily habits involves: Finding out what daily habits contribute to your well-being Creating a plan that will help you maintain your healthy daily habits Staying active & doing things that you enjoy Being aware of your thoughts...

Ten things to think about when looking to resolve conflict with others at work: Understanding your own needs Conflict is often the result of unmet needs. Some examples of needs at work are recognition, fairness, understanding, security, predictability, balance, etc....

When you know that you may become emotional plan in advance how you will manage tears, frustration or anger in a way that preserves your dignity and well-being. When you write down your fears, hurts or concerns, they often lose their power over you. Writing it down...

Research indicates that over 80% of millennials want to work for a company that is a good corporate citizen & that more than 70% of all employees want their company to make a positive impact socially and environmentally.   Donating to charities is currently...

HOW SLEEP HELPS Sleep may seem like a waste of time. You could instead be answering e-mail, doing the dishes or repairing the deck. But research shows that you're more likely to succeed at your tasks—and enjoy greater well-being—if you get some good quality sleep. Of...

https://youtu.be/Rl7BcBNBBME Often there is at least one toxic worker in the workplace who can poison the air for others. Workers should treat each other equally without contempt, intimidation or humiliation. Negativity including sarcasm and cynicism should be...

https://youtu.be/esDSv3mnuE8 Listening to a variety of opinions from your workers will not only makes them feel more invested in the business, but it will also give you a greater field of view when tackling problems and challenges. Let your employees know that their...

https://youtu.be/HofQWr009gI Research indicates that up to 80% of business grown now comes from innovation. Be proactive and continually check the pulse of your innovation programs. Ensure there are opportunities for rapid paced ideas to emerge and be converted to new...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVWbdUBUeGE The workplace is one of the most important places to discuss mental health yet generally employees are afraid of discussing such issues concerned about their job security, promotional prospects and relationships with...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od7RHhLMoRg An EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is a confidential counselling service offered by employers to their employees to support their physical, psychological and emotional well-being in the workplace and in their personal...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqkLEZuLEoM It is good business to encourage employees to reach out to one another for support. People are now more connected to their multitude of screens than to other people with around half of all Australians spending less than two...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EtAGVPcMu4&feature=em-upload_owner Employee assistance programs (EAP) help employees with personal and/or work-related problems that may impact their work, health, mental and/or emotionally well-being.  While EAPs are mainly aimed at...

Mental health issues at work that are kept in the dark not only harm employees but damage company productivity and performance levels.   Research indicates that when employers create supportive environments that foster mentally healthy practices, managers can...