Tag: addiction

The Cost of Workplace Addiction

Alcohol and drug use on the job takes place far more often than you may think. A decade ago, a national study found that 63% of workers said they could acquire alcohol at work, bring alcohol into work, use alcohol on their breaks or during lunch, and even consume alcohol while working. Just over 59% […]

hiring

Hiring People in Recovery: The Case for How it Benefits Employers

People recovering from addiction (also called a substance use disorder) face an unemployment rate three times higher than the average rate, according to a 2017 study by the Recovery Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital. Many employers fear that people in recovery will threaten the company’s success. In reality, they offer unique strengths you can’t […]

Employees Suffering Losses from Addiction Lose Their Jobs Last

At the recent #SHRM2018, I attended a session entitled “Addressing Prescription Overuse in the Workplace,” given by Norbert J. Alicea, Executive Vice President with Health Advocate’s EAP+Work/Life Services, and Raffi Terzian, the Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations and Senior Medical Director at Health Advocate. Their session addressed the astounding and alarming impact that addiction […]

How Can HR Head Off the Opioid Crisis?

Yesterday we heard from Ian Cook, Head of Workforce Solutions at Visier Analytics, about handling the opioid solution in the workplace. Today we’ll look at some of his suggestions including fact based conversations and planning ahead.

The Opioid Crisis and the Workplace

The National Safety Council (NSC) has begun its nationwide road tour through areas of the United States that have been heavily hit by the opioid crisis. As part of that campaign, they have taken ownership of the Celebrating Lost Loved Ones map. Since the opioid crisis has taken its toll on businesses as well, from […]

What should you do when employees are addicted to prescription drugs?

by Jonathan R. Mook, DimuroGinsberg, PC Addiction to prescription drugs, especially opioids, has become a crisis in this country. Not a day goes by that we don’t hear about the mounting number of shattered lives and tragic deaths attributed to this growing epidemic. Employers are feeling the brunt of the crisis as employees are increasingly […]

Discipline for off-duty cocaine use justified in safety-sensitive workplace

by Rosalind H. Cooper A recent decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in Stewart v Elk Valley Coal Corp., 2017 SCC 30, has confirmed that employers have the ability to take disciplinary action against employees for drug and alcohol use in safety-sensitive workplaces. The worker in this case was employed in a mine where […]