Is Your Workplace Recovery Ready?
There are over 23 million Americans in recovery from substance abuse. Because many individuals choose to experience their recovery privately, it is important for every workplace to establish a culture and systems designed to support those in recovery. Not only are those in recovery a valuable asset to your workplace, but your workplace can serve as a valuable asset to their recovery. Additionally, many accommodations are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The most important step any employer can take to generate a recovery ready workplace is to eliminate all drug and alcohol use or distribution. Beyond that, follow these steps to support those in recovery:
Provide Time: If an individual asks for time away from their immediate work duties for a recovery or wellness related activity (counseling, meetings, yoga, in-patient care, etc), provide it without any difficulty, consequences or questions asked. They are not asking for “time off.” The time spent at these types of activities will ultimately increase your employee’s productivity, not decrease it.
Reduce Stress: Any steps you can take to reduce workplace stress will serve ALL employees, including those in recovery. There are many obvious stress reducing changes such as relaxing deadlines, quotas or work schedules. But read more…
New Study Estimates that the NH Economy Lost $1.15 Billion in 2012 Due to Productivity Lost as a Result of Substance Abuse
New Futures has just released their latest PolEcon report: The Corrosive Effects of Alcohol and Drug Misuse on NH’s Workforce and Economy, November 2014. The following is an excerpt. Find the full report at www.new-futures.org.
“By far the greatest cost of substance misuse in New Hampshire is in the form of lost productivity of individuals in the state who are dependent on or who abuse alcohol or drugs. Productivity losses attributable to substance misuse cost the state about $1.15 billion in 2012. The productivity impact of drug and alcohol misuse on the New Hampshire economy is so significant that the problem must be considered in the context of the impact it has on the long-term prospects for the New Hampshire economy. Decades of above average economic growth in the state have more recently been replaced by nearly a decade of below average economic growth in the state. Much of the responsibility for slower economic growth can be attributed to slower growth in the number, skills, and education of working age individuals in the state, to all of which substance misuse contributes. By reducing the number of individuals in New Hampshire’s labor force and by decreasing the skills and productivity of individuals who are in the labor force, substance misuse in NH exacerbates key demographic and human resource issues that contribute to slower economic growth in the state.
A plateau in New Hampshire’s labor force is creating a structural drag on employment and capping job, income, and spending growth in the state. Alcohol and drug misuse reduces the size of New Hampshire’s labor force. The large substance misuse related reduction in the productive capacity of the New Hampshire labor force means that substance misuse is correctly viewed not only as a public health crisis but also as an economic policy issue. Increasing the productive capacity of NH citizens while limiting the costs of the substance misuse in the state can enhance the long-term growth prospects for the New Hampshire economy.”
Ongoing Recovery and Support Meetings
Families Hoping and Coping meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 7pm at Wentworth Douglass Hospital’s Garrison Wing. If you have a loved one who is addicted and are seeking support, please join them. This is a free and confidential support group and more information can be found here.
Circle of HOPE is a Peer Self Help Group for Families with loved ones suffering from substance abuse. This group meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7-8:30pm at St. Peter’s Church in Farmington. Click here for more information.
About Substance Free Workplace
Our Mission is to increase the profitability of businesses by establishing comprehensive Substance Free Workplace programs. In order for these programs to be effective, they must be preventative, practical and employee centered.
We believe that a Substance Free Workplace benefits both the business and its employees. The business benefits from increased productivity and profitability while fulfilling its obligation to protect employee and client safety. The employees benefit from a safe and compassionate workplace that prioritizes their health and wellbeing.
We believe that by establishing substance free workplaces, we can reduce substance abuse in the community. We recognize that businesses are an influential part of any community and an underutilized resource in substance abuse prevention.
We are so happy and relieved to have a new substance free workplace policy for our company. With locations in multiple states, Jessica’s insight and research put us at ease knowing that the policy drafted would comply with all state laws while also protecting us as an employer. Very professionally done and the friendly assistance was appreciated.
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P 603-205-4334
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