<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (March 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (March 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> An employee assistance program (EAP) is an employee benefit program that assists employees with personal problems and / or work - related problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well - being . EAPs generally offer free and confidential assessments, short - term counseling, referrals, and follow - up services for employees and their household members . EAP counselors also work in a consultative role with managers and supervisors to address employee and organizational challenges and needs . Many corporations, academic institution and / or government agencies are active in helping organizations prevent and cope with workplace violence, trauma, and other emergency response situations . There is a variety of support programs offered for employees . Even though EAPs are mainly aimed at work - related problems, there are a variety of programs that can assist with problems outside of the workplace . EAPs have grown over the years, and are more desirable economically and socially . </P> <P> EAPs have been traced back to the late 1930s, and were formed out of programs that dealt with occupational alcoholism . During a time when drinking on the job was the norm, people began to notice the effects it had on job performance and productivity . This became a major issue for industrial jobs and would become the main focus for correction with job - based alcoholism programs . By 1939, the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) movement had begun to spread throughout the Midwestern and Northeastern United States . People in "recovery" began to eagerly share their experiences with other workers . This would be the start of the EAP movement . Businesses also started to see the effectiveness of the programs through the rehabilitation of their workers and the rise of productivity . These improvements sparked the thought of what other types of problems this program could address . </P>

Eaps were originally designed to help employees that had what type of problem