This is a good question. We are currently doing the same thing. Our organisation is wanting to move towards a provider that has coverage for both NZ and Australia.

The two players we're setting off against each other is EAP Services and Benestar.

We recently changed providers, after several complaints from staff that the existing service had not met their needs. They had cancelled and changed appointments at the last minute, and then not handled the complaint well.

The change process involved reference checks with other clients of the provider, as well as interviewing the providers to determine their processes and capabilities around service provision and complaint handling. But it is a difficult call to make due to the confidential nature of the service being provided.

However, we are very happy with the new service and the staff feedback that we have had has been good.

We use EAP Services and have not had any issues with their performance.

EAP Services changed hands at the end of last year and is now owned by the Habit Group which has resulted in improved performance.

I have had experience with a few and the interactions I had with Instep many years ago was very good, but can't comment on what they are like now.
I wouldn't recommend one provider but not appropriate for me to comment publicly so feel free to email me piaatthecarpentersdotcodotnz

We use EAP Services made a referral last month. Our worker preferred face to face counselling rather than ph option which they tried to push. I think we had to wait 3 wks to see somebody not ideal but it is what it is in these times. they sound really busy

I found EAP Services and Habit group great all round.

We use Benestar and found them very good. Staff are able to make appointments directly with the counsellor of choice. I have not had any negative feedback of the service.

We were with EAP, but as they have no one in our area we have changed to OCP (Timaru)