Traumatic events can happen in the blink of an eye. On a work day, an explosion that could be seen and heard for fifty (50) miles occurred in a chemical company, a Comprehensive EAP client. Miraculously, everyone survived with no outward injuries, but it left everyone badly shaken. The entire plant was in jeopardy. Employees were traumatized by the experience and in fear of losing their jobs if the plant were to shut down.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) was immediately available for employees, families, and management to help deal with the emotional trauma of the explosion. The EAP counselor met with individuals and small groups of workers to provide a focused and skilled response to help employees cope. For those employees who were most directly affected by the explosion and went on disability, the EAP helped them return to work after managing their fears, avoiding prolonged absence and isolation.
Was a stressed employee, not focused on the work, a factor in the explosion? A 2007 study of 411 full-time employees, commissioned by Meritain and the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, found that employees are keenly aware that stress negatively affects them in the workplace: 94 percent believe their stress level affects job performance.
... to continue reading you must be subscribed
