Most employers offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), yet the average utilization is only 6.5% (SHRM). Low engagement means employees often miss out on valuable resources, while employers and brokers miss a chance to strengthen retention.
This gap creates a meaningful opportunity for benefits brokers to add value. By helping clients increase awareness and adoption, EAPs can become a proven driver of retention, productivity and employee well-being.
This article outlines how brokers can partner with PrestigePEO to transform underused EAPs into strategic tools for client retention. PrestigePEO equips brokers with the support, resources and reporting needed to make EAPs a standout part of their offerings.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why EAPs remain underused despite broad employer adoption
- How PrestigePEO’s partnership with National EAP delivers comprehensive support
- A step-by-step playbook for positioning, activating and measuring EAP success
- Practical bundling strategies to boost client retention
- Why brokers should partner with PrestigePEO to maximize their impact
Understanding Employee Assistance Programs
EAPs are voluntary work-based benefits programs that offer health and wellness services, including mental health solutions, financial assistance and family-related support. These services enhance employee well-being, which in turn helps improve productivity and performance, reduce absenteeism and increase retention.
Through our partnership with National EAP, PrestigePEO delivers comprehensive support to employees and managers, giving brokers confidence that every aspect of the EAP is covered while they focus on their clients.
Confidential EAP benefits include:
- Short-term counseling for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and grief
- Assistance with workplace conflicts, legal matters, financial challenges and substance abuse
- Family support for divorce, health concerns and caregiving
- Health and wellness resources for fitness, nutrition and chronic condition management
- Stress management workshops and educational resources
- Manager and leadership training
- Conflict mediation and anger-management support
- Referrals to long-term or specialized care
Unlike standalone programs, PrestigePEO ensures every client has a dedicated Human Resource Business Partner to guide activation and drive engagement, helping employees understand what is available and how to access it.
The Broker Playbook for Positioning and Activation
A simple, repeatable approach helps clients see more impact from their EAP. Success typically comes from year-round positioning, activation and communication.
PrestigePEO supports you in five key areas:
Analyze Utilization and Awareness
An initial assessment can determine whether employees are underusing the EAP or understand what is available. PrestigePEO increases awareness through educational materials, webinars and employee-facing content.
Connect EAP Features to Business Outcomes
Effective broker conversations connect EAP features to measurable outcomes. PrestigePEO provides consultative tools and overviews to make that connection clear:
- 24/7 access = less stress, higher engagement
- Legal/financial support = fewer distractions, more productivity
- Crisis mediation = lower turnover risk
- Manager training = more decisive leadership, improved retention
Employer and Management Education
Managers often support employees facing mental health, financial or family challenges without clear guidance. PrestigePEO provides resources so managers can confidently recommend the EAP, address stigma and normalize its use.
Measuring EAP Success
Utilization is a common metric, but PrestigePEO helps brokers look deeper with privacy-safe reporting:
- Awareness: Email engagement and webinar attendance
- Access: Hotline calls and portal usage (via National EAP)
- Outcomes: Directional HRBP feedback on absenteeism, morale and retention
This gives brokers tangible proof of an EAP’s value for their clients.
Implementing the EAP
PrestigePEO streamlines the adoption and activation process, reducing the burden on both brokers and employers.
Our process includes:
- Alignment call to define goals and messaging
- Human Resarouces Business Partner-led activation of National EAP
- Deployment of communication materials, manager education and employee guides
- Ongoing review of metrics, refreshed messaging and scheduled reminders
The result is an EAP program that won’t become an overlooked bullet point in an employee benefits package.
Bundle Benefits to Increase Retention and Drive ROI
ROI often improves when EAPs are bundled with complementary programs, including:
- Mental health solutions
- Financial wellness programs
- Retirement planning resources
- Voluntary employee benefits, such as identity theft protection and pet insurance
For SMB clients, this combination makes adoption and use of EAP benefits easier to communicate. These packages support employees at home and at work, helping SMBs adopt with confidence.
Reasons to Partner with PrestigePEO
PrestigePEO is not just another PEO. We deliver a true white glove experience designed to make brokers and their clients feel supported at every step. Our team works alongside you, handling the details of packaging, communicating and sustaining EAPs so you can focus on strengthening client relationships.
Our approach includes:
- A dedicated HR Business Partner for every client, serving as a single point of contact and hands-on guide throughout activation and beyond
- Proactive alignment calls to understand client goals and ensure messaging resonates
- Seamless rollout of National EAP, including manager briefings, employee-facing communications and engagement campaigns
- Ongoing support with reporting and insights to demonstrate retention and productivity outcomes
- Continuous follow-up to keep utilization high and awareness fresh year-round
With PrestigePEO, brokers gain more than access to competitive employee benefits. You gain a partner committed to your clients’ long-term success, ensuring every EAP we launch together is visible, accessible and impactful.
That is the PrestigePEO difference: a high-touch partnership that helps brokers grow their business while delivering exceptional value to SMB clients.
Ready to provide stronger wellness benefits for your SMB clients? Contact us today to schedule a Broker Partnership Consult to add National EAP.
