The evaluation of an Employee Counseling Service: A cost/benefit assessment and program recommendations for future priority and benefit maximization

The research study sought to assess through contemporary methods the cost structure, benefit distribution pattern, and ultimately the extent of association between cost and benefit of an Employee Counseling Service (ECS). Further objectives of the study included the identification of program recommendations that may assist in the future enhancement of the ECS.;A comprehensive evaluation instrument was designed to collect and compare data for both treatment and criterion groups over a period of 6 years. It also allowed for the collection and comparison of data among the treatment group within 12 months prior to ECS involvement, during ECS involvement, and within 12 months after ECS involvement. Furthermore, at any point throughout the series of continuous monitoring, an ECS consumer could be compared to his or her treatment group or to the non-ECS consumer group, the typical workforce. The comprehensive evaluation instrument was augmented by a second evaluation instrument which was developed to comprise information pertaining to the specific characteristics of each ECS therapist/counselor assigned to the study's participating ECS clients.;The results of the ECS cost/benefit assessment and analysis of ECS consumers reflected a rather solid and well-integrated program. The ECS exhibited cost-savings, appeared to function effectively, and seemed to meet the needs of its clients particularly in terms of addressing the target or presenting problem(s). Program recommendations for future priority and benefit maximization were based on potential modifications for channeling resources, means for strengthening clinical components of the program, and factors necessitating the refinement of program policy issues.;The study's complex criterion group design constituted a sample of 176 employees who worked at a northeastern state medical center within a relatively large metropolitan area. The total sample consisted of two groups, an ECS treatment group (ECS consumers) and a criterion group (non-ECS consumers). The ECS treatment group comprised an exhaustive sample of 76 employees who sought services from the ECS. The criterion group was composed of 100 systematically selected non-ECS consumers who were employees representative of the total workforce in terms of age and gender.