Recent economic woes have you shaking in your seat? You perhaps have found yourself wondering, ‘Will the economic meltdown affect my job?’ In many ways, it will, but how, few can predict.

If you (and the government) play the cards right, hopefully your business can not only ride out the bad stretch, but get inot position to prosper. 

The overall uncertainty of just how far the economy will stumble before it recovers has given business leaders a lot to consider. And at the top of that list should be the welfare of their employees.

A recent study by The National Association for Business Economics reports, “45 percent of economists believe the economy won’t log any growth or will clock in at a small 1 percent pace in the final six months of this year.”

Additionally, 32 percent of the survey respondents are slightly more optimistic, estimating that the “economy’s growth during the second half could be between 1 percent and 2 percent.” Only 11 percent of economists anticipate that growth will be 2 percent or 3 percent.

With outlooks such as these, it’s no wonder the United States’ work force is in need of some advice, and chances are, they might look to their employers to provide it.

Many expert sources believe the employer should be willing to support their employees now more than ever, and employee assistance programs (EAP) are one way some are helping to ease the burden.

Program provider Ear Resource Group (ERG) said that the calls it receives on its helpline have shown notable increases in the number of people seeking advice and support on financial, housing occupancy and legal issues.

ERG reported inquiries related to financial concerns increased by 27 percent in July when compared with July 2007.

Calls from staff reporting emotional health problems, such as job anxiety, increased 27 percent, and occupancy-related calls increased by 48 percent compared with June 2008.

Calls concerning legal issues have also increased by 21 percent during the same period last year. And civil litigation inquiries have risen by 66 percent compared with the previous year.

Program Benefits
Not only can employee assistance programs help employees deal with debt management, financial planning, stress and absence management, they also allow staff to handle personal- and work-related concerns confidentially, thus curbing any problems before they affect work performance.

Although such programs vary considerably in design and scope, most providers offer clients customized programs to meet employee needs. In addition, several third-party EAP management firms offer help.

To learn more about these programs, visit the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, visit www.eapassn.com.