Employee Assistance Programming: In Search of Effective Interventions for the Problem‐Drinking Employee

Summary A critical review is made of traditional approaches to occupationally‐based alcoholism programmes (Employee Assistance Programmes: E.A.Ps). Methodological problems in E.A.P. research are briefly reviewed and major conceptual, ethical and practical difficulties underlying E.A.P. implementation are identified. Suggestions for improving the efficacy and efficiency of E.A.Ps include: (i) the integration of alcoholism services with more effective systems of employee performance‐management and (ii) the extension of E.A.Ps to include interventions aimed at the‘non‐alcoholic’problem‐drinking employee.