The fastest-growing use of EAPs since 2002 has been tied to employees’ financial worries.

Over the last five years, there’s been a announced 69% jump in employee EAP use related to personal financial concerns.  The trend isn’t all that surprising.

Statistics show that, for the first time since the Excellent Depression, the average American has negative savings â.” in other words, debt exceeds income â.” in a average month.

With salaries frozen in many businesses and many staff members racking up higher and higher credit card debt, the problem may continue to get worse.

Troubling trends

Here are some ominous numbers from a recent worker survey -

o  27 percent of respondents said they were “one major setback away from financial disaster”

o  22% say they were “worse off than last year, with less take-home income and more debt”

o  40 percent say their company is “insensitive to their employees’ financial needs,” and

o  only 6 percent said they felt comfortable with their current financial situation and ability to manage their debts.

The majority of personal-finance related EAP use arises from concerns over debt management, household refinancing and/or failed investments.