The scheme, which has been gradually rolling out since April 2013, has already attracted big names in the industry, with Whitbread PLC the latest signatory, seeing the owner of Costa Coffee and Premier Inn join the likes of Red Carnation Hotels, CH & Co, Ed’s Easy Diners, Calcot Manor and the Vineyard at Stockcross, amongst others.

More than 70,000 employees from 30 companies are now able to access specialist and confidential advice 24/7, 365 days a year. In the first 10 months of the programme, more than 1,500 hospitality people have benefited from the EAP’s specialist advice, expertise and support.

The EAP service includes advice and help sheets, web chat and telephone help line, 24/7, 365 days a year, personal counselling and legal information and guidance.

Penny Moore, chief executive, Hospitality Action, said: “Having gathered such good support over the past 10 months, I am delighted to be able to ‘officially’ showcase our EAP to the wider industry. Personal issues and problems can have a major impact on the way people work, and this can potentially become a significant business cost, due to a decrease in productivity and an  unbalanced working environment. Our experience shows that many small problems if ‘nipped in the bud’ can be prevented from escalating, and this is exactly what our EAP has been designed to address.

William Baxter CBE, chair of Board of Trustees, Hospitality Action, added: “The employee assistance programme was launched to ensure that Hospitality Action helps as many as possible of the 3 million people who work in hospitality who may need our support. It is a practical  and cost-effective way for employers to help their employees in times of personal crisis, whatever the cause. I would urge everyone to take up this initiative."