CiC Employee Assistance Programme

CiC Employee Assistance Programme is a tailored workplace support service for organisations that want counselling, practical guidance and manager advice in one programme. It suits employers with internationally distributed teams and employees who need round-the-clock access through human and digital channels. The main decision is whether six counselling sessions provide enough short-term support for your workforce.

Overview

CiC’s EAP is designed for personal or work-related challenges that affect wellbeing and performance. Employees can reach support at any time by phone, live chat or online resources, while counselling is also available face to face. CiC says it co-designs programmes with clients, so the service is better suited to organisations wanting a configured benefit than to buyers seeking a fixed, self-serve package.

The provider is headquartered in London and says its clinician network spans more than 1,200 counsellors in 114 countries. That geographic reach is useful for multinational employers, although the published allowance of up to six structured sessions points to focused intervention rather than open-ended therapy.

Key features

Counselling and advice

A 24/7 AdviceLine connects employees directly with qualified counsellors. Up to six structured sessions can be delivered by phone, online or face to face, with live chat providing another route into support. The choice of channels can remove access barriers; the session cap may be restrictive for employees whose circumstances require continuing counselling.

The EAP also handles practical pressures that commonly sit alongside emotional problems. Legal support and financial guidance cover budgeting, debt management, future planning and retirement readiness. This makes the programme relevant beyond clinical concerns, particularly when financial or legal issues are contributing to workplace stress.

Manager and digital support

Managers have a confidential AdviceLine staffed by senior clinicians, with guidance on workplace conflict, bereavement and mental-health concerns. It gives leaders specialist input without positioning them as counsellors themselves.

Ele adds live counsellor chat, webinars, health checks, self-help material and a personalised dashboard. Its library contains more than 6,500 videos, podcasts and articles, plus a directory of over 10,000 verified support organisations. AI-powered recommendations and an onboarding questionnaire can shape an individual wellbeing journey. Approved stakeholders receive real-time analytics, while a privacy quick-escape button is intended for discreet use.

CiC says a dedicated account team manages implementation, monitors usage, shares insights and holds regular client reviews. The provider describes Ele as secure, is certified to ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus, and says staff complete data-security training. It is also an EAPA-accredited provider.

Pricing

CiC Employee Assistance Programme is a paid, tailored programme with custom pricing. The employer should request a proposal that reflects its organisation and teams. The defined plan includes confidential counselling, financial and legal help, work-life support, crisis support, six sessions, and access by phone, online, face to face and live chat. There is no published trial, renewal schedule or seat quota to compare, so budget approval depends on the supplied quotation and agreed terms.

Platforms

Employees and managers can use CiC on Android, iOS and the web. That combination supports mobile access for immediate help and browser access from workplace devices.

Who it's for

CiC is a strong candidate for medium to large employers seeking a broad, tailored EAP with 24/7 access and international counselling coverage. It is particularly relevant where managers need their own clinical advice channel and where digital self-help, webinars and usage analytics matter. Organisations looking for long-term therapy, a transparent public price or a simple fixed plan should examine the six-session allowance and commercial proposal carefully.

Pros and cons

Pro: 24/7 phone, live-chat and online access gives employees several ways to seek timely help.

Pro: More than 1,200 counsellors across 114 countries supports multinational workforces.

Pro: Legal, financial and manager guidance extends the benefit beyond counselling.

Pro: Ele combines a substantial content library with personalised journeys and stakeholder analytics.

Con: Six structured counselling sessions may not meet needs requiring sustained therapy.

Con: Custom pricing makes it harder to benchmark costs before contacting CiC.

Alternatives

Browse Employee Assistance Program Software if you want to compare the wider category. PAM Wellbeing is another paid option on Android, iOS and the web. Choose Optum Global EAP for a paid, cross-platform programme with an employer-contacted global plan and no free tier.

SupportLinc may suit employers wanting a benefit that can be free to employees and immediate family members, with terms varying by programme. CuraLinc EAP is a paid, employer-dependent service requiring a proposal. Empathia LifeMatters is another paid EAP sold by quote.

ESI Employee Assistance Group offers paid, quote-based TotalCare and public-safety-focused options. TELUS Health EAP is a paid programme tailored to organisational needs. Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program is the alternative to consider if a freemium, web-based model is preferable.

Verdict

Choose CiC when you want a configurable, international EAP that combines 24/7 counselling access, practical advice, manager support and a substantial digital platform. Look elsewhere if six sessions are unlikely to cover your employees’ needs or if you require upfront, comparable pricing before engaging a provider.