Employee Assistance & Occupational Health Psychology

Students’ understanding of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) encompassed multiple dimensions. For example, they recognized EAPs as mechanisms for helping employees address a wide range of problems, providing psychological and emotional support, and promoting health and well-being. They also noted that organizational attitudes play a crucial role in the implementation of EAPs. At the same time, students were aware of several practical challenges, describing EAPs as broad in scope, difficult to evaluate in terms of outcomes, and challenging in relation to budget assessment. They further understood EAPs as an important means of supporting employees’ physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. These responses indicate that students were able not only to identify the functions and strengths of EAPs, but also to recognize the limitations and challenges involved in their practical implementation.

Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract/Objectives

This course focuses on the core concepts of employee assistance programs and workplace health, integrating theoretical inquiry with practical application to help students develop an understanding of major issues affecting employees in organizational settings, including psychological adjustment, work stress, emotional labor, occupational burnout, work–life balance, and supportive workplace environments. The course is designed to cultivate students’ ability to observe, assess, and analyze organizational and employee needs. Through lectures, discussions, invited expert talks, guided reading of relevant literature, and hands-on program design activities, students are expected to strengthen their professional knowledge in employee assistance, employee counseling, and workplace health promotion, while developing practice oriented learning outcomes and integrative application skills.

Results/Contributions

Upon completion of this course, students had developed foundational knowledge and competencies in employee assistance and workplace health, and attained a more comprehensive understanding of key issues including employees’ psychological adjustment, work stress, emotional labor, occupational burnout, work–life balance, and the cultivation of a supportive and healthy workplace environment. Through a range of instructional activities, including lectures, class discussions, guided reading of academic literature, invited expert talks, and group based practical exercises, students demonstrated marked improvement in their ability to observe, analyze, and assess organizational and employee needs. They also acquired the preliminary capacity to apply concepts related to employee counseling, care and support, and workplace health promotion to program planning and practical analysis. Overall, the course achieved its intended instructional objectives, contributed to the strengthening of students’ professional competence, and enhanced their capacity for future engagement in employee assistance and workplace health practice.

Keywords

Employee Assistance, Workplace Health, Stress Management

Contact Information

陳殷哲

yinchechen@mx.nthu.edu.tw