MetLife employee advisory services (E.A.S.)

The MetLife Human Resources Department established an Employee Counseling Unit in 1961 to administer personal advisory services and pre-retirement counseling. In 1963 the unit was renamed Employee Advisory Services (E.A.S.) with the staff providing help for a number of employees with personal problems. The E.A.S. was revitalized in 1989 by adding in-house mental health professional staff, and 1990 witnessed increased numbers of employees using its services. During the year, 662 new cases were opened, 93 percent of which were closed by year's end. Almost half of the cases were self-referred with supervisors/managers referring another 25 percent. Psychological/emotional problems accounted for 23 percent of primary problems assessed; alcohol and/or drug abuse, combined, accounted for 15 percent. On the average, consultations required two sessions, each lasting 50 minutes, with per capita costs around $7 per eligible employee. Follow-up evaluation responses were positive, as was the client follow-through with E.A.S. advice.