Don Martin, LPC, CEAP and Director of Optima EAP.

How the EAP can help improve your productivity at work.

We all know our personal lives can impact our professional lives and vice versa. Are you finding it difficult to concentrate at work because of personal issues at home? Employers have a word for it—it’s called presenteeism. It’s a relatively new term that refers to employees who come to work when they’re sick and shouldn’t, but it also refers to employees who are distracted from work because of personal issues, deliberate socializing, or stress, and it causes them to be less productive.

One way employers are helping employees be more “present” at work is by soliciting help from their Employee Assistance Program. As Sentara employees, one of our benefits is the use of the Optima EAP to help us address life’s challenges, solve personal problems or tackle work related issues. It’s confidential, short-term solution-focused services and is staffed by a group of skilled professional and caring counselors.

Don Martin, LPC, CEAP, is the Director of Optima EAP and works with companies to help managers identify and create strategies to assist employees with issues that cause presenteeism.

In the end, managers and employees want to enjoy work, be productive and have a healthy work/ life balance.