For many working mothers, the day does not end when they leave the office. It simply changes shifts.
There are children to collect, meals to prepare, homework to supervise, household responsibilities to manage, and family concerns to navigate, often after a demanding day of meetings, deadlines and decisions.
For single mothers, the pressure can be even greater. Yet despite the number of women carrying these responsibilities, many still feel as though they are expected to cope without asking for help.
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This Women’s Month, working moms are reminded that they are not alone. Stats SA reports that 42.4% of South African households are headed by women, while other research shows that 43% of mothers live in single-parent households.
What many may not realise is that support could already be available through an employee assistance programme (EAP) provided by their employer.
More than counselling for work-related problems
A working mother who is struggling with exhaustion may need emotional support. Another may be navigating a divorce, worrying about a child’s behaviour, managing financial pressure, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the number of responsibilities competing for her attention.
But they often do not interact with their EAPs because these are perceived as services that deal only with workplace stress.
In reality, EAPs can provide access to a far broader range of professional support, including emotional and mental health counselling, legal and financial guidance, relationship and family support, parenting advice, and assistance during difficult life transitions.
“Employees often do not realise how comprehensive these programmes are,” says Karin Mitchelmore, Executive Head of Healthcare Consulting at NMG Benefits. “They may assume that an EAP is only there for work-related problems, but the support extends to many of the personal challenges that can affect their well-being.”
Support is generally provided telephonically, but some programmes also offer face-to-face consultations following a traumatic experience.
Importantly, the person answering the call is not simply a general call centre agent. Employees are directed to qualified professionals with expertise and understanding relevant to their concerns.
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Confidential support that extends to the whole family
One of the biggest barriers to using an EAP is the concern that an employer will know who has sought help or what they have discussed. This perception can prevent employees from accessing support when they need it.
But an EAP is provided through a separate service provider and is subject to strict privacy and confidentiality requirements: “Employers do not have oversight of which employees are using the service or the reasons they are seeking support.”
The service also often extends beyond the employee to immediate family members. This means that a spouse, child, or parent may be able to access the same professional guidance and support.
“People often underestimate the value because the service is free to them,” says Mitchelmore. “But the value lies in the fact that they and their loved ones are able to speak to professionals who can provide expert guidance and help direct them towards more specialised support if necessary.”
Making support easier to find
Although EAPs offer meaningful assistance, many employees forget how to access them. Information is often shared when a programme is introduced, then becomes difficult to find months or years later. Mitchelmore’s advice is to find the contact details before they are needed, and keep them somewhere that is easily accessible.
“For working mothers who are used to carrying everything themselves, utilising their EAP is not a sign that they are unable to cope. It is a free, confidential, professional support system designed to help them manage the many demands they already carry,” says Mitchelmore.
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