MetroHealth’s employee assistance program began in the 1980s as a counseling- and substance abuse-focused initiative. Today, the Cleveland-based health system has broadened its approach to address the “social determinants of work.”
This concept looks at an employee not just through their personal and family needs, but through the obstacles they face in performing their best at work.
“Ultimately, it’s about supporting the overall health of the worker and tailoring systemwide resources to say, ‘You matter to us,'” Anastasia Webb, director of employee assistance program and wellness at MetroHealth, told Becker’s. “When we identified transportation as a challenge, we partnered with our local bus transit program. We also support employees facing financial or emotional stress, or other challenges.”
To assess employee needs, Ms. Webb and her 11-person team use several tools, including the annual employee engagement survey, annual assessment, EAP program participation feedback, leader feedback and social determinants of health screening tools.
Nationally, employee assistance programs help an average of 3% to 7% of a company’s workforce. In 2024, MetroHealth’s program impacted just under 50% of employees. The most popular offerings were individual counseling and wellness activities, such as fitness classes, meditation and yoga. Employees who participate in EAP services have better retention, job satisfaction and overall well-being.
“MetroHealth recognizes that employee well-being is at the heart of patient care, and they’ve given us the ability and resources to build programming that truly helps,” Ms. Webb said.
MetroHealth is working to expand the program. Upcoming projects include broadening virtual access with AI-supported scheduling, increasing onsite outreach to satellite clinics and departments, offering new group sessions on self-compassion, and developing a connection-driven program to address loneliness.
