Work-Life (IM)balance

Business operates to make a profit. News break- employees work to earn money- any other motivation is secondary. The lifestyle consequences (smoking habits, obesity etc) is as costly to individuals and the society as a whole; businesses have a hard time keeping up to time (productivity) lost from lifestyle illnesses and insurance costs from said illnesses.

There are many studies that prove that Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) actually are needed and cost effective. Workers have to balance their responsibilities at home as well as on the job, assisting them to cope eventually will result in increased productivity. General Motors, a company that put in place an EAP, reports a 75% success rate and a favorable return on monies spent in the program. Having an EAP will result in less grievances being filed ( under the FMLA) and improved employer-employee relationships. We will see substantial savings in on the job injuries, off the job injuries and illnesses as well as gratuitous employees. About 400,000 Americans die each year from smoking related diseases for example; an active EAP will promote healthy lifestyles for our employees and reduce the 75 billion dollar loss to the nation as a whole. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) covers a wide range of leave entitlement for employees, being proactive and enacting an employee assistance plan is only for 21st Century companies.