October 2003 Vol. 1     No.2     Regulatory   Update Research   Review Interact   Survey Questions   Member Exchange     Forum Feedback	EAPs Around the Globe: Is There a Common Denominator?   Our look at EAPs around the world demonstrates their fundamental nature as behavioral solutions to workplace concerns. Wherever they are found, the most successful EAPs were created and are evolving to meet local and national workplace priorities. full column   Argentina: Crisis and Recovery Add New Reasons for EAPs “After one of the most significant economic, political, and social crises in its history, Argentina is in a phase of recovery. The crisis and recovery have added new reasons for consulting EAPs, reasons that demand specific type of interventions to help individual clients solve problems.” full article   Canada: Employers Want One-Stop Shopping “What we are beginning to see in the marketplace, at least here in Calgary, is companies seeking 'one-stop shopping' for answers to a wide range of health issues that affect their bottom line. They might start with just one service--typically an EAP--but once they start looking at data from all their different service providers, they start asking themselves, ‘Why don’t we coordinate all this so we can start to plan strategically for the benefit of the organization’?” full article   Europe: Conditions Are Ripe for EAPs “Thus far, EAP development in continental Europe has been extremely patchy and is virtually non-existent in many countries. In my opinion, this situation is about to change. Europe now meets the three main conditions that drive the development of EAPs.” full article   Finland: Experimenting With EAPs to Address the Worker Shortage “Interest in the productivity and performance of the workforce and the increasing tendency of workers to retire early have prompted the creation of numerous national projects aimed at solving these problems. One such approach is employee assistance. A national EAP program was started in 2000 and will last until the end of 2005.” full article   Hong Kong: Much Work Remains After SARS “It is understandable that people are reacting so strongly [to SARS] because we don’t know exactly how the virus spreads or whether there is a danger of a global epidemic. For businesses, however, these debates are almost beside the point. The fear factor alone is enough to inflict economic devastation.” full article   Ireland: Launching Professional EA Education “Beginning this year, the National University of Ireland is offering a part-time training course for staff working, or intending to work, in employee assistance programs. The course is broadly based in recognition of the very different functions and responsibilities allocated to the EAP role in different types of enterprises and work organizations. Work in the EA field is increasing in Ireland, and this course can only help those who want to become involved in the work.” full article   South Africa: Responding to HIV/AIDS, Globalization, and the Legacy of Apartheid “HIV/AIDS is considered the third-biggest business risk in South Africa, with anywhere from 10 percent to 40 percent or more of employees infected depending on the demographics and nature of the business. An integral component of any HIV/AIDS risk management strategy is the implementation of an EAP.” full article     Back Issues   Top of Page   Contact EAPA   © 2003 Exhange On-Line is a publication of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, Inc. (EAPA). Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is expressly prohibited. Publication of bylined articles does not constitute endorsement of personal views of authors. Appearance of paid advertisements does not constitute endorsement by EAPA.	Message From EAPA President   Please enjoy this, our second edition of EOL, a fascinating look at global EAP concerns. I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans November 22-24, 2003! Donald G. Jorgensen, Ph.D., CEAP