Services Director at Hospitality Action, Camilla Woods, explains the importance of having a complete Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
In today’s hospitality workplace, pressures on team members can often extend well beyond the job description. Personal and work pressures can affect wellbeing, performance, and ultimately the stability of whole organisations, which is why a comprehensive EAP has become more than just a perk – it’s essential.
Any EAP worth its salt is more than just a helpline. It provides continuity and depth and recognises that many issues cannot be resolved in a single call, which is why our whole health approach provides the time and space to build trust, explore solutions, and feel genuinely supported.
Our gold-standard EAP programme already includes 24/7 access to clinical support alongside a range of wellbeing resources and critical incident support to help staff navigate the toughest of times. This support now goes even further with the introduction of our virtual GP service, a fully integrated service within Hospitality Action’s wellbeing platform where employees can book GP or advanced nurse practitioner appointments anytime, anywhere via the app or online. This means team members can access real-time physical and mental healthcare from one single app on their phones.
The service is available to clients on the Wellbeing Plus and Total Wellbeing packages and addresses everyday health concerns, prescriptions, referral letters, and sick notes. The service helps keep staff healthy while reducing absence and boosting productivity.
Whatever the issue – from grief or addiction to financial strain or physical health issues – our industry has never been under more pressure, which means it’s more important than ever for employees to know they won’t be left to cope alone.
What’s in it for employers? By providing a place to turn in times of need, they enable resilient, healthier teams who feel supported and better able to continue to give their best at work. Unlike other providers, our services are fully integrated which means employers can track the physical and mental wellbeing of their workforce from one platform.
At a time of intense competition for recruitment and retention, organisations that invest in a comprehensive EAP send a powerful message to their employees: they value their people not just as employees, but as individuals – a message that builds loyalty and trust money can’t buy.