Outcome Measurements of an Integrated Employee Assistance and Work-Life Program

Abstract

This research study describes an innovative method for evaluating outcome measurements of an Employee Assistance and Work-Life program. Method: This research is unique due to the fact that “true” service outcomes, as defined by the employees who utilized services, were collected within a brief time period (3 to 6 months) after services were provided. The data for the study were collected through the telephonic interviews with employees covered by a major provider of EAP and Work-Life services. Results: Findings indicate that after services, stress levels decreased, attendance improved, work performance improved, and relationships with supervisors and coworkers improved. Additionally, significant correlations were found between various reported personal and work-related problems. Conclusion: This research represents the first empirical study of its kind in the Employee Assistance and Work-Life fields and provides a better understanding of how effective services are in helping employees resolve both personal and work-related problems.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Aday, L. A. (1996). Designing and conducting health surveys: A comprehensive guide (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Astrachan, B. M., Esock, S., Kahn, R., Masi, D., McLean, A. A., & Visotsky, H. (1995). The role of payor advisor board in managed mental health care: The IBM approach. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 22U, 581-586.

Bond, J. T., Galinsky, E., & Swanberg, J. E. (1998). The 1997 national study of the changing workplace. New York: Families and Work Institute.

Chapman, N. J., Ingersoll-Dayton, B., & Neal, M. B. (1994). Job stress in a changing workforce: Investigating gender, diversity, and family issues. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Ezra, M., & Deckman, M. (1996). Balancing work and family responsibilities: Flextime and child care in the federal government. Public Administration Review, 56, 174-179.

Fallon, B. (1997). The balance between paid work and home responsibilities: Personal problem or corporate concern? Australian Psychologist, 32, 1-9.

Friedman, M., Minden, S., Bartlett, J., Ganju, V., Gettys, W. D., Henderson, M. J., et al. (1998). Mental health report cards. Journal of Washington Academy of Sciences, 85, 144-153.

Garman, E. T., & Leech, I. (1997). Employers pay dearly for the poor personal financial behavior of employees. Consumer Interests Annual, 3, 179-181.

10.

Garman, E. T., Leech, I., & Grable, J. (1996). The negative impact of employee poor personal financial behaviors on employers. Financial Counseling and Planning, 7, 157-168.

11.

Hatry, H. P. (1997). Outcomes measurement and social services. In E. J. Mullen & J. L. Magnabosco (Eds.), Outcomes measurement in the human services: Cross-cutting issues and methods (pp. 3-19). Washington DC: NASW Press.

12.

Hiatt, D., Hargrave, G., & Palmetree, M. (1999). Effectiveness of job performance referral. Employee Assistance Quarterly, 14(4), 33-43.

13.

Highly-Marchington, C., & Cooper, C. L. (1997). Painting a picture for future growth: An evaluation of EAPs in the United Kingdom. EAPA Exchange, pp. 26-27.

14.

Lipsey, M. (1998). Design sensitivity: Statistical power for applied experimental research. In L. Bickman & D. Rog (Eds.), Handbook of Applied Research Methods (pp. 39-69). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

15.

Manderscheid, R. W. (1996). A report card for accountability to consumers. Behavioral Health Tomorrow, p. 58.

16.

Martinez, M. (1997, June). Research shows benefits of linking work and family. HR Magazine. Retrieved October 15, 1999, from http://www.shrm.org/hrmagazine/articles/0697flea.htm

17.

Mullen, E. J., & Magnabosco, J. L. (Eds.). (1997). Outcomes measurement in the human services: Cross-cutting issues and methods. Washington, DC: NASW Press.

18.

Nadolski, J. N., & Sandonato, C. E. (1987). Evaluation of an employee assistance program. Journal of Occupational Medicine, 29(1), 32-37.

19.

Selvik, R., & Bingaman, D. (1998). EAP outcomes: From the client's point of view. EAP Digest, pp. 21-23.

20.

Shern D. L., & Trabin, T. (1997). System changes and accountability for behavioral health care services. In E. J. Mullen & J. L. Magnabosco (Eds.), Outcomes measurement in the human services: Cross-cutting issues and methods (pp. 101-112). Washington, DC: NASW Press.

21.

Teague, G. B., Ganju, V., Hornik, J. A., Johnson, J. R., & McKinney, J. (1997). MHSIP mental health report card: A consumer-oriented approach to monitoring the quality of mental health plans. Evaluation Review, 21, 330-341.

22.

Williams, F., Haldeman, V., & Cramer, S. (1996). Effects of financial concerns upon workplace behavior and productivity. Financial Counseling and Planning, 7, 147-155.