How EAP and wellbeing check-ins work together
An employee assistance programme and a wellbeing check-in do different jobs. A short text can reach someone early. The organisation’s own counsellors, or the EAP, can take it from there.
What an employee assistance programme does
In New Zealand this is often called an employee assistance programme. In Australia the same service is usually an employee assistance program. Either way, it is confidential professional support the employer arranges. People use it for counselling and practical help when they want a person to talk with.
WellbeingSolutions does not replace that service. A check-in is not counselling.
What a wellbeing check-in does
A check-in is a personalised and fully customisable text. There is no app to download. The question asks for Yes or No. A reply that starts with No is triaged, and professional support makes contact. Leaders see anonymous totals only.
A check-in asks, instead of waiting for someone to look up the details.
That is the proactive step. It meets people on the phone they already carry.
How the two fit
Use the check-in to start the conversation. When someone says they need support, route them to the people you already trust: your organisation’s own support team, counsellors or EAP. The check-in tells those people that someone asked for help. It does not decide what help they need, and it does not take the place of the EAP conversation.
AI-4U can help a person find the right kind of support. AI-4U does not provide counselling, diagnosis, treatment or emergency response.
Workplaces that also want a wider view of working conditions can look at psychosocial risk assessment. That assessment is informed by ISO 45003 guidance. It is anonymous and reported in aggregate, and it is separate from an individual EAP conversation.
A practical way to start
Many organisations already arrange EAP services and still hear about a problem only when someone is ready to ask. A check-in gives people a simple reply. Custom SMS check-ins use your wording, then triage a No to professional support.
Free 2-week pilot for up to 10 staff. NZ: SMS check-ins and AI-4U. Australia: SMS check-ins, with AI-4U included in the full service.
For question wording, see Wellbeing check-in questions for employees.
How it works
- Check-in sent
- Replies triaged
- People needing help identified
- Connected to professional support
WellbeingSolutions can support you to identify and manage psychosocial risks, part of your duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Illustrative stock photo, iStock 1708305405. Not a WellbeingSolutions staff member or client.
