Family & Youth Forum
E-Newsletter from Family & Youth    Lake Charles, LA

February
2  0  0  7

 What's Inside

Front Page

Market Your Mission

A Powerful Voice

A Team Approach

Building Social Connections

Experience a Change

Our Business is Taking Care of Yours

The Back Page

Mission
It is the belief of Family & Youth that all individuals possess the ability to solve their own challenges and live full healthy lives when support is available. It is the mission of Family & Youth to provide affordable and professional support through programs and services dedicated to advocacy, counseling, and education for the people of Southwest Louisiana. Our effort and commitment to building family values will guarantee a stable and stronger community.

Past Issues

February 2007

September 2006

May 2006

Our Business Is Taking Care of Yours
by Candis J. Carr, EdD, Associate Executive Director

When we love doing business with a particular organization, isn’t it the employees who make the difference? Whether business owner, promoter, or patron, we all know that employees are the heart and soul of the workplace.

Yet, this year, one in five employees will face personal problems that disrupt their lives and work.

For example, consider the young couple trying to integrate conflicting work schedules into their brand new marriage. Add to this… a hurricane, one badly damaged rent-free, family home, and an unexpected pregnancy. Sound overwhelming? Coping skills will depend on the couple’s ability to handle stress over an extended period of time. Hardly easy for even the most experienced of workers!

In this case, the husband, a shift worker at a local refinery, could easily become a safety risk, and his wife, a customer service representative for a busy communications company, could begin making costly mistakes. Fortunately, both husband and wife used Performance Employee Assistance to improve their personal well-being and workplace performance right away.

The argument for investing in an EAP is also backed by research.

• 92% of Americans agree that personal problems spill over into work.

• 75% to 90% of primary care physician visits are related to stress.

• 40% of worker absenteeism is due to depression.

• One employee with depression costs the employer $3000.00 per year due to lost days and reduced productivity when at work.

• One troubled employee spends at least 53 hours per year trying to resolve family-related issues from work.

At the same time, research finds that EAPs reduce sick leave usage by 33%; work related accidents by 65%; workers’ compensation claims by 30%; lost time by 40%; grievances by 50%; and time spent on supervisor reprimands by 74%. A Cornell University study finds that EAPs are linked with happier, harder-working employees and businesses with an improved bottom line. Call 337-436-9533 to become part of the good statistics today!