An introduction to: Workplace Options

GulfCare is proud to partner with leading regional service providers, to deliver convenient, cost-effective, and fully customizable healthcare plans for our clients. 

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Workplace Options, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider.

In an increasingly fast-paced world, it can be difficult for employees to balance family life, work commitments, and self-care. In fact, today roughly two-thirds of people living in the GCC have experienced mental health challenges at some point in their lives – a figure which is higher than the global average. 

And all too often, the pressures of trying to manage stressors within both personal and professional life can ultimately lead to heightened anxiety and burnout, a debilitating condition which is not only detrimental to a person’s health, but is also costly for businesses. 

So, where does the responsibility of an employer lie? 9 in 10 workers believe that employers have a duty of care to support and enhance employee well-being. However, it’s also estimated that 4 in 5 managers across the GCC do not feel fully equipped to talk about issues such as mental health with their teams – and this is where an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can make a real difference.

An EAP is an employer-paid scheme which provides free and confidential services to employees. It is primarily designed to help employees tackle both personal and professional issues which may be affecting their well-being and their performance at work. 

EAPs can be made available to organizations through their corporate healthcare provider. At GulfCare we are proud to partner with Workplace Options to deliver high-quality EAPs for our clients and their employees, anytime and anywhere. 

What is Workplace Options?

Workplace Options is a leading independent provider of holistic employee well-being services and solutions. They offer integrated support solutions that help individuals achieve better health, happiness, and productivity, both personally and professionally.

How does Workplace Options work?

Workplace Options delivers its services through a combination of human and digital interactions. Via GulfCare, employees gain 24/7, multi-lingual access to Workplace Options’ expert counselors, coaches, and consultants, helping employees manage challenges and improve their overall quality of life. These include:

• Work-life balance

• Stress, depression, and anxiety

• Workplace challenges

• Relationships

• Family/ parenting

Who can use Workplace Options?

GulfCare’s healthcare coverage enables an organization’s employees and their dependents to benefit from Workplace Options’ EAP services.

These can be accessed via phone, SMS, chat or email, with structured phone or video sessions for counseling. Employees also have access to Workplace Options’ app, iConnectYou.

How can employees benefit?

A good EAP delivers a holistic approach to well-being. Via GulfCare, Workplace Options’ EAP services tackle the three key cornerstones of health, development, and support: physical, practical, and emotional:

Physical Support: Help your employees manage chronic health conditions, optimize their health routine, or even begin their journey to a healthier, happier self. Employees can access fitness and nutrition plans, and more.

Practical Support: With access to resources and support from qualified consultants, employees can benefit from practical support which can help them to manage life’s challenges and become more efficient and effective at work.

Emotional Support: Through short-term, solutions-focused counseling solutions, employees can receive support for mental health issues and overall emotional well-being. From managing stress to addressing more complex issues, incorporating emotional support into an EAP can be hugely beneficial.

How can your business benefit?

The focus of an EAP is to help make employees’ lives easier, healthier, and therefore more productive. These improvements translate into more efficient workplaces, more engaged employees, and increased company loyalty. And this ultimately leads to better organizational effectiveness and improved overall business outcomes.

Research on the impact of EAPs on UK businesses has shown that organizations can benefit from an average ROI of £8 for every £1 invested in an EAP, due to reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. 

This means that choosing the right EAP not only boosts the health and well-being of your employees, but also of your organization. 

GulfCare and Workplace Options: the perfect partnership for your business

GulfCare is a leading regional provider of corporate healthcare insurance. Based in Dubai, we operate across the GCC with businesses of all shapes and sizes. Because our plans are fully customizable, it is easy and convenient to find the right solution for your business’s unique needs. 

And, thanks to our partnership with Workplace Options, it is easier than ever for your employees to manage their emotional, physical and mental health via an EAP. 

To learn more about GulfCare and to receive your complimentary quote, contact us today.