Financial stress is becoming a widespread issue impacting on employee wellbeing. It continues to be one of the main issues impacting workplaces in terms of presenteeism. On average, financially stressed employees take an extra four sick days each year. They also lose an average of 6.9 hours a week of productive time at work as a result of stress-related "presenteeism". Financial challenges can occur at many times in our life; getting married or separating, planning time out of the workforce due to children, buying or selling a home, retirement, redundancy, change in income, or unexpected medical expenses. Understanding financial concepts can be very confusing and it is difficult to know who to trust and approach for help. AccessEAP offer specialist financial coaching to provide employees confidential guidance and support to expertly and respectfully guide people back to financial control. Employees are entitled to financial coaching sessions as part of their EAP session entitlement. The session will usually take place over the phone.

The coach can work with you on a varied range of topics. Some of those may include:

• General money management
• Budgeting and debt management
• Creating a money plan that works for you
• Adjusting to a change in pay cycles

Disclaimer:This service is provided by an AccessEAP financial partner and does not make financial product recommendations, promote any individual financial organisation or approach, or provide personal financial advice on investments or taxation issues. We do not take the place of your solicitor, accountant, financial adviser or any other third party professionals and advise will advise you to speak with them directly if specific advice is being sought.

There is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate that the food we eat affects our mental health and plays a significant role in our overall wellbeing. For example, dietary changes have been successfully trialed in the treatment of clinical depression. The positive effects of good gut health also extend to improved mental performance, which is important for those in mentally demanding jobs.

AccessEAP offers employees the opportunity to receive a consultation with a nutritionist for advice about dietary changes to better support their wellbeing. Employees are entitled to one nutrition consultation as part of their EAP session entitlement.

The nutrition coaching service can assist employees with:

• understanding the impact of food choices on brain function and emotional health
• identifying symptoms associated with food choices
• understanding desired health outcomes
• healthy eating tips to optimise wellbeing

Employees often contact AccessEAP for support in the context of relationship and other family difficulties, some of which involve complex legal issues, e.g. disputes about money following divorce or the death of a family member.

AccessEAP offer specialist legal consultation to provide employees confidential advice and legal information in the complex areas of family law. Employees are entitled to one legal consultation as part of their EAP session entitlement.

The legal consultation service assists employees to better understand the factors they need to take into account when dealing with family law matters, such as:

• What to do when facing a separation or divorce
• Property settlement
• Child and spousal maintenance
• Parenting arrangements
• Legal wills
• Prenuptial agreements
• Domestic Violence
• Consent Orders
Please Note: This specialist service is provided by an AccessEAP legal partner.

A diagnosis of cancer has a major emotional impact on most people. Many different emotions can surface, and this can have impacts on all areas of people’s lives. While there may be family or friends available to offer support, sometimes sharing distress with those who are close can be difficult and painful. It can help to talk to someone about upsetting thoughts and feelings without guilt or worry about burdening those who are closest.

AccessEAP work with Cancer Counselling Professionals NSW to offer counsellors who have specific training and knowledge about cancer. Employees can speak with a counsellor knowing that they won’t have to explain their diagnosis or treatment, which may be a great relief. Cancer is a difficult enough experience without having to launch into explanations for the untrained counsellor who innocently enquiries about various aspects of the diagnosis or treatment. People can instead focus entirely on themselves, how they are feeling, and what they need.

Career counselling is suitable for people who are looking for guidance in deciding on a career or job change, or maybe just trying to improve their chances of securing the job they want. An AccessEAP career counsellor will help your employee identify their strengths and think about what they want next.

The perinatal period, lasting from pregnancy to the first 12 months after giving birth can be a period of significant adjustment, for the mother and child and other family members. There are major physical changes, emotional changes, and often lifestyle changes associated with this stage of life. Sometimes women will also experience miscarriage during pregnancy, and the sense of loss associated with this can be significant. To support pregnant women, mothers of newborns, and their partners, during this potentially vulnerable time, AccessEAP offers counselling sessions provided by female psychologists specialising in perinatal counselling.

AccessEAP recognises the significance of providing culturally sensitive counselling to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the workplace. Co-operation is part of our way of working together to provide culturally appropriate support, sharing knowledge in a respectful, confidential and safe space.

Our Client Services Team members are available to speak with you. Please call to make an appointment between EST 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday or outside these hours for urgent requests. At AccessEAP our Cultural Wellbeing Team includes both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Counsellors and Culturally Sensitive Counsellors. If appropriate our Cultural Co-Ordinator is able to assess and understand any individual circumstances and will work with you to identify the most culturally safe options for you or your organisation.

Together we find ways to provide culturally appropriate support that works for you, sharing knowledge in a respectful, confidential and safe space. Having a chat can help with the day to day challenges at home or in the workplace such as;

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Grief and Loss
• Dependency Issues
• Financial
• Diet
• Family/relationships

At AccessEAP we are aware of some of the challenges which you may experience as a part of the LGBTQIA+community. Our counsellors will approach all and any experiences that you wish to discuss with respect, compassion, and acceptance. We believe that everyone has a right to feel safe and understood, regardless of sexual or gender identity. We also understand that many of the concerns that LGBTQIA+employees bring to counselling are common to all people and are not related in any way to their sexual or gender identity. However, our counsellors are also sensitive to, and continue to learn about, some of the unique challenges you may face as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Call the LGBTQIA+ Support Line on 1300 349 950. Find out more about the LGBTQIA+ Support Line here: https://www.accesseap.com.au/resources/accesseap-blog/lgbtiq-support-line