To improve the effectiveness of well-being benefits, "organizations are looking at EAP potential with a fresh set of eyes," said Dale Grenolds, the executive vice president at EAP provider ComPsych in Chicago.

In the past, he said, employers most often contracted with an EAP to give employees two to three sessions with a counselor. "Today, it's more likely that employers provide eight to 10 sessions involving a wider range of work/life support, from housing and relocation issues—including locating emergency shelters—to child care and elder care needs or legal and bereavement support when a loved one dies."