Workplace Impact of EAP: WOS-5 Benchmark Results from 16,000+ Cases & Tests of Moderator Factors

Abstract

This is an essential session for EA professionals tasked with demonstrating EAP outcomes. Current “pooled” data from over 16,000 individual counseling cases from many different EAP internal programs and vendors all using the Workplace Outcome Suite (WOS) is presented on the workplace impact of EAP services. This session highlights the significance using the same “yard stick” when collecting outcome data across the EA profession. Global benchmarks for improvement in outcomes from before to 3 months after EAP use are compared between the five WOS scales – with the greatest impact found for work presenteeism and overall life satisfaction. Each WOS measure was also tested for differences in the rate of improvement among six factors (age, gender, referral, presenting issue, industry, and EAP delivery model). Results were very similar for these moderating variables, indicating the general effectiveness of EAP counseling regardless of contextual factors. Best practices are shared for Pre Post data collection, conducting simple statistical analyses, and meaningful reporting of results to customers – including a new change in “problem status” approach for the WOS-5. Presenteeism and absenteeism outcomes can be monetized to show the business value of EAP services (ROI) in restoring worker productivity.