Want to get a bunch of HR people nodding their heads? Make a statement about the value of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) our companies offer, usually as part of the Life Insurance suite. It's true, it's a great product and every once in a while we get a great chance to refer someone to it and it does some good. Much patting on the back usually commences...
Of course, most of us don't market it hard enough. Or anywhere close to hard enough - including me. I have no marketing strategy other than to simply list it on my benefit marketing collateral we use in the recruiting biz. Most of you are just like me. I really, really need a strategy in this area to make sure people understand it's there for their confidential use...
What's got the Capitalist thinking about EAPs? Uh...It's not my life, honest... Nothing but a Ward Cleaver, vanilla-type existence here. Please don't stare at me....
OK, two things actually got me thinking about our EAP. First up, Deb at 8 Hours and a Lunch did a rocking post about the value of an EAP, which I thought was great. Second, I was watching FUSE the other night for a fix of Alternative Rock (what did you expect from the Capitalist? Britney Spears?), and a video came up from a band called the All-American Rejects.
The cut is called "Dirty Little Secret", which features about 30 people holding up cards detailing what makes them feel like a freak. It's a good reminder that all of us have our issues (except of course, for Ward), and at times of weakness we might need a resource like your underutilized EAP. Check out the video to get the flavor and think about it during the next four random conversations you have in the office...
Maybe I should get outside the box and use this video to market the EAP inside our company...
