Critical Incidents: 4 Questions Every Employer Must Ask

With today’s 24/7 news cycle, tragedy and disaster are ever-present realities. In the face of crisis, employers have two key responsibilities: helping employees cope with trauma and returning the workplace to normal as quickly as possible. With employees constantly sharing news and posting updates on social media, responding appropriately is now more important than ever.

Fortunately, employers don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offer threat assessment and critical incident response services to guide and support both employees and managers following a critical incident. It’s important to understand how these EAP resources work and when to utilize them in order to effectively manage crisis and build resilience to catastrophe.

Threat Assessment Overview

• A complete EAP threat assessment program starts with the creation of a formal threat assessment team, including the employer’s human resources, security, and employee assistance personnel.
• The team performs a vulnerability audit, to assess any potential weaknesses, especially in regard to natural disasters.
• A plan to effectively address vulnerable areas is then detailed, including policies and procedures.
• A strong communication strategy and training for key personnel and employees should be conducted.
• In the event of a tragedy, the EAP offers comprehensive recovery services, including clinical support, emergency referrals, professional support for business and personal needs, and ongoing follow-up with employees.

EAP threat assessment plans fill casualty and property insurance coverage gaps by partnering with employers to create a complete and cohesive plan from beginning to end, helping to educate and train employees on policies and procedures, and providing resources to help companies survive and recover from unexpected tragedies.

Developing a Customized Threat Assessment Plan

Brokers and EAP consultants can help employers custom-build or fine-tune disaster plans by asking a series of questions.

1. Is there a plan in case of disaster? Many companies have some level of an insurance-required disaster plan. An EAP threat assessment component would help the company take the plan a step further by identifying additional vulnerabilities, providing frequent plan review, and organizing comprehensive employee training.
2. Does the plan address a wide variety of potential threats? Preparation for earthquakes in Southern California is critical, but will not be useful to management and employees in the event of a wildfire evacuation or a domestic violence shooting at work. With an EAP threat assessment plan, a full scope of vulnerabilities can be identified and addressed.
3. How is information communicated to employees? A cohesive threat assessment program provides for frequent and diverse employee training meetings, including effective training for managers to know how to lead during times of crisis.
4. Are professional resources available to mitigate the effects of a crisis? Strong EAP plans provide emergency referrals for housing, child care, clothing, transportation, and personal needs during crisis recovery; as well as professional clinical support in the days, weeks and months following critical incidents.

As employers become more aware of the rising need for comprehensive threat assessment programs, brokers and EAP consultants can help companies save lives and mitigate the effects of crisis. By taking helplessness out of disasters, EAPs give both employers and employees tools to prepare for and recover from disaster with resilience.

ACI Specialty Benefits provides a contemporary and confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including benefits and perks that alleviate stress and help employees and families thrive. Contact 800.932.0034 or eapinfo@acispecialtybenefits.com to get started!