Morrisons launches employee assistance programme

Morrisons has launched an employee assistance programme (EAP) to help support its 117,000 employees during the recession.

Through the EAP, which was introduced last month, employees can contact a free and confidential helpline with personal, family, home, health, finance or work-related problems.

Provided by Retail Trust, the helpline can signpost employees to relevant organisations and services where necessary.

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It can also organise free counselling, legal advice, financial assistance and training and lifelong learning opportunities. Emma Bonfield, head of engagement at Morrisons, said: “One of the main reasons for launching this scheme is around the credit crunch. The initial poster we put out is mostly focusing on financial issues because we know people might be feeling the pinch more than usual.”

She added that care had been taken to illustrate to employees that the EAP is a confidential service and it is a separate entity from the supermarket chain. To help reinforce this message, the retailer has avoided using its trademark green and yellow corporate colours on the benefit’s promotional material, which includes magenta-coloured posters that have been put up around staff areas, with the message ‘here to help’.

Morrisons is also planning to distribute flyers and small cards to communicate the perk.