CiC Employee Assistance Programme

Overview

CiC Employee Assistance Programme gives employees confidential counselling and practical help with challenges affecting life and work. It suits organisations that want a tailored support service with round-the-clock access for employees and a separate clinical advice channel for managers. Its range is substantial, though the allowance of up to six counselling sessions makes it a short-term support option.

Key features

Employees can call the 24/7 AdviceLine for direct access to a qualified counsellor. Where appropriate, they can receive up to six structured sessions by phone, online or face-to-face; live chat offers another way to reach qualified counsellors. Multiple channels make the service more adaptable to different circumstances, but six sessions may not meet the needs of employees who require longer-term counselling.

The programme also addresses practical pressures through legal support and financial guidance on topics such as budgeting, debt, future planning and retirement readiness. Managers have their own confidential AdviceLine, where senior clinicians can advise on workplace conflict, bereavement and mental health concerns. That gives leaders access to experienced guidance when a situation is difficult to navigate.

Ele, CiC’s digital platform, combines webinars, health checks, self-help resources and a personalised dashboard. Its library has more than 6,500 videos, podcasts and articles, alongside a directory of over 10,000 verified support organisations. An onboarding questionnaire shapes a personal wellbeing journey, and AI-powered recommendations can help employees find relevant content. A privacy quick-escape button is a practical feature for people using the platform in a sensitive setting.

CiC says employees can reach support by phone, live chat and online resources at any time. Its network includes more than 1,200 counsellors across 114 countries, which is useful for organisations with employees in multiple locations. Approved stakeholders receive real-time analytics, while CiC’s account team oversees implementation, monitors usage and conducts regular client reviews. The company says it holds EAPA accreditation, ISO 27001 certification and Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

Pricing

CiC Employee Assistance Programme: custom pricing. Employers should request a quote and confirm how the six-session allowance applies to their programme before comparing costs. Since it is employer-provided, employees should check their organisation’s terms for access and coverage.

Platforms

The programme is available on Android, iOS and the web. Counselling is also offered by phone and face-to-face, so employees have options beyond using the digital platform.

Who it's for

CiC is a strong fit for employers seeking one programme that combines counselling, legal and financial guidance, manager support and digital wellbeing resources. Its international counsellor network may suit organisations with staff in several countries. It is less suited to employers looking primarily for sustained counselling beyond the stated six-session allowance.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Employees have several routes to support, including phone, live chat, online sessions and face-to-face counselling.
• Pros: Legal and financial guidance, plus a clinician-led manager AdviceLine, extend the programme beyond employee counselling.
• Pros: Ele combines a large content library with a verified support directory and personalised recommendations.
• Cons: Counselling is limited to up to six structured sessions where appropriate, which may not suit longer-term needs.
• Cons: Custom pricing requires employers to request a quote before assessing budget fit.

Alternatives

Compare employee assistance program software if you want to review more options. Consider Optum Global EAP for a paid programme available on Android, iOS and the web, with pricing provided by contact. PAM Wellbeing is another paid option for those platforms.

SupportLinc may suit employees whose employer provides it as a benefit at no cost to them or immediate family members, though programme terms vary. CuraLinc EAP is another employer-dependent option with proposal-based pricing. Empathia LifeMatters offers quote-based pricing, while TELUS Health EAP is tailored to the organisation and uses a demo or contact process.

Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program is a freemium alternative available on the web. ESI Employee Assistance Group offers paid, quote-based programmes, including options for public safety employees.

Verdict

Choose CiC if your organisation wants a broad, tailored EAP with round-the-clock access, practical guidance and dedicated support for managers. Its mix of human counselling and Ele’s digital resources covers more than immediate emotional support alone. Look elsewhere if your employees are likely to need counselling beyond six sessions, or if you need a published price for straightforward budget comparison.