EAP vs Happiworkers

Discover the key differences between traditional Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and HappiWorkers' innovative wellbeing platform. At HappiWorkers, we offer cutting-edge solutions designed to support employee mental health, boost productivity, and enhance overall workplace satisfaction.

The EAP model no longer works

The traditional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) model fails to meet modern workplace needs in 2024 and beyond. Its fundamental flaw lies in a business model prioritising cost reduction over quality care, charging fixed annual fees regardless of usage. This leads to delayed and ineffective support, exacerbated by a need for clinically trained staff and culturally competent practitioners. The resulting poor quality of care, combined with mental health stigma, has led to dismally low usage rates of around 5%. Despite appearing cost-effective at 40p to £1.25 per employee monthly, EAPs' value is questionable given their low engagement. As mental health needs evolve, a shift towards solutions offering high-quality, accessible, holistic therapeutic provision could prove more beneficial, effectively supporting diverse, modern workforces and addressing the shortcomings of the outdated EAP model.

Traditional Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) frequently fail to meet the specific needs of these environments due to:

  • High-Stress Environments: The high-productivity culture of startups and small businesses can increase stress and potential burnout.
  • Inexperienced Management: Promotions from within often result in leaders who may be unprepared to address employees' emotional needs.
  • Challenges in Gauging Team Morale: It’s difficult to effectively assess and manage mental health concerns in small or remote teams.
  • Limited Accessibility: Many smaller companies do not meet the minimum employee thresholds required by some EAP providers.
  • Need for Impartial Support: With only 11% of employees comfortable discussing mental health issues with their managers, there’s a clear need for external, professional support.
  • Mental health support is critical in these settings, where the well-being of even one employee can ripple throughout the entire organisation.

This is where Happiworkers becomes essential. By offering tailored mental health support for smaller organisations, Happiworkers addresses these unique challenges:

  • Accessibility: Available to companies of all sizes, ensuring even the smallest startups can provide quality mental health support.
  • Flexibility: For companies with fewer than 100 employees, Happiworkers offers unlimited on-demand sessions with a pay-as-you-go model, adapting to the dynamic needs of startups and small businesses without subscription commitments.
  • Qualified professionals: Provides access to trained therapists, coaches, dieticians and more, filling the gap left by inexperienced managers in handling mental health issues.
  • Confidentiality: Offers a safe, impartial space for employees to discuss their concerns, promoting higher engagement with mental health services.
  • Proactive approach: Helps identify and address mental health issues early, preventing productivity loss and maintaining team morale.
  • Cost-effective: Delivers a higher return on investment compared to traditional EAPs by focusing on quality care and increased utilisation.
  • Culturally competent care: Happiworkers stand out by offering support designed for underserved employees. This approach ensures that all team members, especially those from racialised and marginalised communities, receive care that is respectful of and responsive to their cultural needs.

Traditional EAP Process:

The Happiworkers Advantage:

With Happiworkers, you get personalised care tailored to your needs, without the wait.

Happiworkers ensure quick access to tailored mental health care, putting you in control of your well-being.

Traditional EAP

Happiworkers

Price

Fixed Rates

Cost-effective Scaling

Practitioner choice

No option to choose your practitioner

Select the professional of your choice

Diverse team support

Confirming practitioner details may delay support

Culturally competent care in multiple languages & Anti-racist trained

Speak to a practitioner within 24 hours

8.8 days average for the first assessment

Same-day booking, next-day session

Long-term well-being support

Limited sessions, short-term focus

Unlimited support, addresses long-term and complex issues

Effortless scheduling

A multi-step process with low referral rates and long wait times

Instant booking and immediate connection to chosen specialists, ensuring quick, personalised care

Comprehensive analytics

Often limited reporting

Delivers reports on key metrics

Scope of Specialisms

Offer primarily solution-oriented counselling, which may not be suitable for complex or varied issues

Provides holistic support encompassing nutritional, mental, career, emotional, spiritual, psychological, and financial aspects