Remain honest —even if you suspect your boss already knows about your addiction, the best policy is honesty. Have an open conversation and explain your need for treatment for your overall health. Your boss may handle it better than you expect, and might even try to help you along the way.
Full Answer
How do I talk to my boss about my drug rehab?
You can reach out to rehab centers that offer treatment to people who are working or who are taking leave. When you talk to your boss, you can let them know what your plans are so they feel confident in the positive steps you are taking to get better. Be straightforward.
What to do if your boss Won’t let you see a doctor?
Bring In Your Therapist or Doctor If Needed. It may be much easier for you to let the professionals speak for you. If you fear you are unable to clearly explain the treatment you’ll be getting and why it’s important, let your psychiatrist, therapist, or other medical or mental health professional contact your boss.
How do you deal with difficult bosses?
Work with someone you trust, like your partner or a good friend, to practice. Being ready with a clear idea of your thoughts and what your boss needs to know will help you make your point and have a more productive conversation. 3. Bring In Your Therapist or Doctor If Needed.
Should I Tell my Boss I have a mental illness?
Disclosure can help you benefit from the protection of the ADA, but there are some cons to letting a boss know you have a mental illness that seriously impacts your life. There is still an unfortunate amount of stigma attached to mental illness, and you may fear that you will be treated differently at work if you disclose.
Do I have to tell my job I'm going to rehab?
Let your employer know how much your job means to you and that you want to stay in your job and perform well. Tell your boss that you have a medical condition for which you need treatment. You will probably have to be upfront about your condition.
Should I tell my boss I have a drug problem?
If you have a substance abuse problem and you plan to check into a rehab center for treatment, the bad news is that you will have to tell your employer. It's a conversation that simply can't be avoided. The good news is that you almost certainly won't suffer any consequences for it.
Can you get fired for being a drug addict?
While employers are free to terminate and can refuse to hire anyone whose alcohol or drug use impairs their ability to perform the duties of their job, employers cannot fire or take other negative employment actions against an employee because of their status as an alcoholic or drug addict. California and federal laws ...
Should I tell my boss I'm an alcoholic?
As long as you stay positive and know your rights, telling your employer about your addiction can help you stay sober and cope with triggers in the workplace, which can go a long way toward helping you stay sober for the long-term.
How do I tell my employer I have a drug problem?
Be honest and keep the conversation professional. Explain that you want to get help so that you can be a more effective employee. Changing our lives can be scary. If your job has not been a stressor for using, then keeping your job is important.
Should an employee be dismissed for substance abuse?
It is clear from these acts that substance dependence should be handled as incapacity and not a kind of misconduct. Therefore, an employee cannot be dismissed for unsatisfactory performance due to his condition, but the employer should consider appropriate counselling and rehabilitation steps.
Can an employer ask what medications you are taking?
Medical Information Is Private If an employer asks what prescriptions you're taking, this is regarded as a medical inquiry under the ADA. The starting point is that an employer can not ask about your use of prescription drugs unless the inquiry is job-related and consistent with business necessity.
Is being a drug addict a disability?
In short, yes. Diagnosable drug and alcohol addictions, or substance use disorders (SUDs), are considered disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
Can you be sacked for alcoholism?
Employers must act in accordance with any staff policies on drug and alcohol abuse and ensure a fair performance management process is followed. To dismiss an employee for alcohol related reasons an employer could potentially rely on conduct, capability or some other substantial reason depending on the circumstances.
Is alcoholism a protected disability?
An alcoholic may be person with a disability and protected by the ADA if s/he is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job. An employer may be required to provide an accommodation to an alcoholic, (e.g. a flexible schedule to enable the employee to attend counseling appointments).
How do you prove someone is drinking at work?
The only way to be certain that a worker is drunk is to have the worker take a blood alcohol test, a breathalyzer or some similar test, Shea said. An employer should not request or require an alcohol test unless there is "reasonable cause," Shea said.
What are the laws regarding drug use?
Below is an overview of laws that are useful to know about your drug or alcohol use: 6 1 If you are currently using illegal drugs, you do not qualify as an individual with a disability if your employer decides to take action concerning your drug use. 2 Your employer cannot discriminate against you if you have a history of drug addiction but are no longer actively abusing substances. 3 The FMLA protects you if you take leave for a serious health condition. 4 You can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off from work per year under the FMLA to attend rehab. 5 Your employer can ban the illegal use of drugs at your workplace. 6 It is not a violation of the ADA for an employer to give tests for the illegal use of drugs. 7 You can be fired or denied employment if you are currently using illegal drugs. 8 Your employer can conduct drug tests to detect the use of illegal drugs.
Why is it important to talk to your boss about addiction?
Because issues with addiction can spiral out of control, it is important that you talk to your boss as soon as you can. Having an upfront, honest conversation can save you from losing your job down the line. Do your research. Learn about your company’s policies.
How long can you take off from work for drug rehab?
You can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off from work per year under the FMLA to attend rehab. Your employer can ban the illegal use of drugs at your workplace. It is not a violation of the ADA for an employer to give tests for the illegal use of drugs. You can be fired or denied employment if you are currently using illegal drugs.
What to talk about when you are ready to talk to your boss about entering treatment?
When you are ready to talk to your boss about entering treatment, you may have concerns about job security and confidentiality. In general, people with substance use disorders face stigma in the workplace. Employers may be afraid to hire people with a history of addiction.
What is the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits most employers from refusing to hire, firing, or discriminating against qualified potential employees based on their disability. The law protects workers in recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction and qualifies addiction as a disability. 6
What happens if you test positive for drugs?
If you test positive for drugs during a drug test, this information will be kept confidential, like any medical record. 6 You may also be tested after returning from treatment. If you test positive, your employer may consider you a “current” drug user and terminate your job. 6.
What to do if you can't find your sobriety?
Understand your legal rights. Knowing your rights under the law will make it easier to ask for the help and resources you need to get better and/or receive the accommodations you need to maintain your sobriety .
What is Bridges to Recovery?
Bridges to Recovery offers comprehensive treatment for people struggling with mental health disorders as well as co-occurring substance use disorders.
How long can you take mental health leave?
The Family Medical Leave Act is another law that ensures you can get time off for mental health treatment. It gives you the right to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for an illness or to care for a family member.
What are your rights under the ADA?
According to the ADA, you have a right to reasonable accommodations for a disability.
What to do if you are scared of your boss?
Bring In Your The rapist or Doctor If Needed. It may be much easier for you to let the professionals speak for you. If you fear you are unable to clearly explain the treatment you’ll be getting and why it’s important, let your psychiatrist, therapist, or other medical or mental health professional contact your boss.
Can you disclose mental illness to your boss?
If your mental illness has become severe enough that you need time off for treatment, you may have no choice but to disclose it to your boss. To get the required leave time, you may need to explain your situation so you can claim that you need a reasonable accommodation as allowed under the ADA.
Do employers stigmatize mental health?
Not all employers will stigmatize workers who disclose mental illness. Many are understanding, accommodating, and kind. If you have a boss like this, disclosure could actually benefit you. It can be a relief to let those around you know about what you are experiencing.
Do you have to disclose mental health?
Disclosing Mental Illness – Pros and Cons. Before you decide if or how you want to tell your employer about your plans for treatment, you must decide if you will tell them at all. You do not have to disclose that you have a mental illness, and there are some upsides and downsides to doing so. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ...
What Are Your Rights if You Need to Take Leave for Addiction Treatment?
According to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you may have the right to take a leave of absence due to a substance addiction issue. According to this Act, which was passed in 1993, eligible employees can take up to 12 workweeks off in a 12-month period for certain qualifying conditions. 1 Eligibility requirements include:
Transitioning Back Into the Workplace
Another provision in the FMLA is the return to your previous job position when you get out of rehab. If not returned to the exact job, it must be one that is closely equivalent. As you transition back into the workplace, it’s critical to continue with aftercare therapy programs to minimize relapsing.
What to do when the big talk comes?
When the big talk comes, show that you are aware of your low productivity, concentration, and other problems in your tasks and performance. Show that you are serious about treating the problem and share some of the next steps you are willing and ready to take.
Why is it important to go to rehab?
Recovery can be an amazing time for personal growth, learning, and building relationships with those who face similar problems. For many people who are career-oriented, going to rehab for can also be a time of high-stress and increased mental health struggles. In order for you to have the best experience possible, it is important to take the time you need to focus on yourself, your mental health and your recovery. You will be a better worker and a better human being once you get free from addiction.
Who is Lee Weber?
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
What should I know about FMLA?
What You Should Know About FMLA and Addiction Treatment. Here is what the United States Department of Labor has to say about taking FMLA for substance use disorder treatment: “Treatment for substance abuse may be a serious health condition if the conditions for inpatient care and/or continuing treatment are met.
How to get FMLA?
To get FMLA, you will have to get a written recommendation by a doctor or addiction expert for substance abuse treatment. You cannot simply go to your company and say you want to go to rehab. Keep this in mind. Talk to HR about the necessary paperwork. They will help you determine how to get the documentation you need.
How many hours does an IOP meet?
Our IOP program meets for three hours a day, five times a week.
How long can you take FMLA?
This allows those who have a problem with substance abuse to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off to go to rehab if necessary.
Why do women not get help for addiction?
One of the main reasons why women do not get help for a problem with addiction is because they are afraid of losing their jobs. The thought of having to tell a boss that you have a substance abuse disorder can be terrifying. Most professional women automatically assume they will be fired if they need to go to rehab. This is just not true.
How to tell your boss you have an addiction?
Be honest. Go directly to your boss and tell him or her, “I need to let you know that I have an addiction to drugs/alcohol. I am tired of living my life like this. I need help and I want to go to rehab, but I don’t want to lose my job.
Why do IOPs meet at night?
The program meets at night to allow women to put in a full work day and then get addiction treatment for just a portion of the day. Although some cases require a medical detox or inpatient treatment, many women appreciate the flexibility of IOP.
