Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Provider for Hospitality & Tourism in Australia
Last Updated 12/2/26 By Vanessa Cortez
EAP Programs @ Mindway EAP
There is a large amount of importance placed on the tourism and hospitality industries in the Australian economy. Accommodations such as hotels, restaurants, pubs, airlines, and travel agencies are home to millions of people who are employed there. The individuals who are employed in this industry are always under pressure to provide excellent customer service, despite the fact that they are required to deal with an unpredictable schedule, shift work, and the challenges that come with working during times of high demand. Even when they are forced to come to terms with the fact that they are required to work shifts, this remains relevant. In addition, employment in the tourism and hospitality sectors is frequently trying on both the body and the mind, which results in a significant amount of stress and a high turnover rate among employees. The reason for this is that these jobs are sometimes highly challenging. Employee assistance programs, often known as EAPs, are the most effective means of providing aid to workers because they provide confidential counseling, resources for health and wellbeing, and useful methods for coping with stress that occurs in the workplace. Companies who provide employee assistance programs (EAP), which are often referred to as employee support programs, experience a reduction in employee absenteeism and in the number of employees who leave the organization. In addition, their employees are happy, which indicates that they provide excellent service to their customers and that they provide excellent experiences to their visitors.

What you’ll learn in this article
  • Why EAP is crucial for hospitality and tourism staff
  • How EAP helps with stress and burnout in service roles
  • The benefits of EAP for staff retention in a high-turnover industry
  • Leadership’s role in supporting employee wellbeing
  • Real examples of EAP success in hotels and restaurants
  • Practical tips for implementing EAP in tourism businesses

Why hospitality & tourism staff need EAP

For the purpose of maintaining communication with customers, those who are employed in the tourism and hospitality business are required to put in long hours and stay up late. In the hospitality industry, it is not uncommon for employees to be expected to perform a multitude of tasks simultaneously, to meet stringent standards, and possibly even to deal with customers who are difficult to manipulate. It is possible that all of these things, including mental exhaustion, anxiety, and a decrease in the pleasure you derive from your work, are brought on by chronic stress. Employee assistance programs, often known as EAP services, provide workers with a safe and private environment in which they may discuss their challenges and investigate potential solutions to address those challenges. Employers who participate in employee assistance programs (EAP) have the potential to create an atmosphere in which employees feel motivated, respected, and driven to provide excellent service to their customers.

Tackling stress and burnout in service roles

Burnout is a significant issue that arises in the tourism and hospitality industries when there is a high demand for services and employees are working very hard to meet that need. This is particularly true in situations when there is a high level of demand. As a result of the fact that cooks are required to complete orders in the correct order and hotel receptionists are responsible for organizing whole bookings, the workload may become excessive. When individuals participate in Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), they get knowledge about effective methods for coping with stress. These tactics are designed to assist individuals in achieving a greater sense of well-being and achieving a balance between the demands of their employment and their health. When you provide assistance to employees in this manner, it reduces the likelihood that they will grow exhausted and increases the likelihood that they will be able to maintain their concentration and work swiftly.
Employee:
I’ve been feeling drained with the late-night shifts and constant guest interactions. It’s starting to affect my mood at work.
You:
Thank you for sharing that. We’ve partnered with an EAP provider to give staff access to confidential support whenever they need it.

Reducing turnover and improving retention

An excessive amount of turnover is a problem that frequently arises in the travel and lodging industries. Because businesses have to find new workers and provide them with training, this issue might end up costing them a significant amount of money. People quit their employment for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they are under a great deal of stress, that they are unable to depend on their hours, or that they feel devalued by their employers. Within the framework of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), employees are given the opportunity to receive services that demonstrate the company's concern for their well-being. It is possible for businesses to attract and retain employees over longer periods of time, improve the efficiency with which teams collaborate, and save money. When employees are more dedicated to the company and possess a greater level of competence, it is beneficial for the business over the course of time since it immediately results in the satisfaction of customers. Because of this, the firm is able to recruit and retain a greater number of workers.

Supporting leadership and team culture

When hotel managers prioritize speed and sales over other goals, they don't have much time to think about how their staff are doing and how happy they are. This impacts the overall satisfaction of the workforce. This is something that is frequently done in the hospitality industry. When seen from a different perspective, leadership is an essential component in ensuring that smooth operations are maintained in the workplace. Companies that provide employee assistance programs (EAP) not only provide aid to workers who are performing the task of the company, but they also provide training to managers on how to recognize indications of stress, improve communication, and encourage individuals to seek support services. If leaders demonstrate that they are concerned about the well-being and contentment of their employees, they will be able to transform the workplace into a more pleasant and productive environment for everyone involved.
"When hospitality workers feel supported, they turn service into memorable experiences." - Australian Hotels Association

Enhancing guest experiences through staff wellbeing

When the staff is happy, the customers are happy, and when the staff is happy, the customers are happy. When employees are aware that their employer cares about them and supports them, they are more likely to go above and beyond to provide excellent service to customers. This is due to the fact that they have a greater chance of receiving appreciation for their effort. Patients who participate in EAP programs, which reduce stress and enhance mood, are more patient, better able to get along with people, and have more energy than those who do not participate in these programs. The ability of the programs to improve people's psychological well-being and reduce their levels of stress is directly responsible for these benefits. Because of this, businesses who focus on the hospitality sector and its visitors will receive a greater number of good evaluations, a greater number of repeat customers, and an improved brand image. The presence of a healthy workforce is closely connected to each and every one of these advantages.
The managers of a well-known hotel in Sydney saw that their staff members were becoming increasingly nervous about their work as a result of the large number of guests who stayed there. Additionally, the cleaning workers reported that they were exhausted, and the receptionists quit at an alarmingly rapid pace. When the company began offering a service known as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which includes counseling, seminars on mental health, and training on how to handle difficulties, the level of happiness among the workforce skyrocketed. It was also reported that there was a twenty percent decrease in the number of employees who were absent from work, and the staff members said that they were better able to meet the requirements of the clients.

There were also issues faced by a firm situated in Melbourne that specialized in food, and a significant number of its employees were laid off as a result of the stress they were under and the long hours they were had to work. By implementing an employee assistance program (EAP), the company was able to increase the percentage of satisfied customers as well as the number of employees that remained with the company. Due to the fact that the employee support program was able to provide assistance to the workers of the organization at all times, this was made possible. The project gave workers the impression that they were important, which resulted in a more vibrant environment at work and improved the quality of the meals that customers received. This was the reason why the program was successful.

Enhancing guest experiences through staff wellbeing

There is a strong correlation between the satisfaction of the employees and the satisfaction of the consumers. People who believe that their business cares about them and supports them are more likely to go above and beyond in order to provide excellent service to their clients. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) assists individuals in managing stress and enhancing their mood, which in turn enables them to have more patience, makes it simpler for them to get along with others, and provides them with more energy throughout the day. As a result of this, companies that provide services to tourists and operate in hotels receive more positive feedback, a greater number of repeat customers, and a more favorable image of their company. The most important factor that makes all of these benefits feasible is a healthy workforce.
Key Takeaways
  • EAP reduces burnout
    Hospitality and tourism staff gain tools to manage stress, ensuring they stay engaged and resilient.
  • EAP improves retention
    By showing staff their wellbeing matters, businesses build loyalty in a high-turnover industry.
  • EAP supports leadership
    Managers gain skills to lead with empathy, creating stronger and healthier workplace cultures.
  • EAP enhances guest service
    Happier employees deliver better service, leading to satisfied guests and stronger reputations.
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