Employee assistance programmes in the UK oil industry: an examination of current operational practice

Abstract

Examines current operational practice in the UK oil industry in relation to employee assistance programmes (EAPs) ‐ a voluntary and confidential workplace counselling and support service. Suggests that the industry contains a high number of potential stressors relating to the environment in which it operates, the nature of the work itself, and the potentially hazardous journey to the workplace. Describes a case‐study methodological approach using semi‐structured in‐depth interviews. The results indicate that EAPs have been initiated as part of health programmes within the firms and that economic factors have not played a significant part. The usage of the service has been surprisingly low compared to other empirical findings. Little examination or evaluation has been undertaken. No firm could therefore quantify success and firms did not consider this necessary as long as some use was being made of the service.