Escalating fuel costs and the turbulent state of the economy are taking its toll on employees, according to reports from employee assistance programs.

"The more employees are paying at the pump and at the grocery store, the more stressed they are at work. This stress is hitting the bottom line," says Oliver Williams of Bensinger, DuPont & Associates. "The added pressure of tough economic times causes anxiety, depression, absenteeism, presenteeism — all of which impact productivity."

In a recent survey, Wayne Hochwarter, a management professor at Florida State University's College of Business, found that gas prices were foremost on the minds of the 800 full-time employees polled. 

"People concerned with the effects of gas prices were significantly less attentive on the job, less excited about going to work, less passionate and conscientious and more tense," Hochwarter observes. 

"These people also reported more blues on the job. Employees were simply unable to detach themselves from the stress caused by escalating gas prices as they walked through the doors at work."

Counselors at most EAPs are trained to help individuals manage their stress, as well as the resulting chronic conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

Many EAPs also provide professional counseling on basic financial planning and money management concepts, ranging from debt management to budgeting and 401(k) contributions.

"Where once focusing primarily on mental health and substance abuse issues, employee assistance programs have broadened their scope to address issues that impact employees, and financial issues are certainly rising to the top of the list," says Williams.

"Employees need to know they can call their EAP to receive a no-cost consultation with a financial professional who can help them gain control over their financial concerns."

Elder care concerns

Along with all the financial concerns, EAPs are also seeing a rise in calls about elder care.

"During the first half of 2007, we have experienced a 30% increase in requests regarding elder care services, compared to the same period last year," says August Stieber, national sales director of Bensinger, DuPont & Associates, a national EAP firm. "We expect requests for this type of service to continue to increase as the workforce ages."

Women tend to call EAPs more than men do, and they often are the ones takingcare of elderly family members, although the caregiving responsibilities of men are increasing, experts report. During the first six months of 2007, 63% ofthe callers to Bensinger, DuPont & Associates were female, while 37% of the callers were male.