Tell your boss that you have a medical condition for which you need treatment. You will probably have to be upfront about your condition. Employers may require a medical health certification to verify your condition.
Full Answer
Should I tell my employer about my mental illness?
Be completely honest with your supervisor about why you need time off, how long you plan to be away, and what may need to happen during your absence. During the conversation, your employer may ask questions about the nature of your addiction. Your only obligation is to share when you plan to leave and how long you’ll be away.
What should you do if you have a struggling employee?
· Go to your boss and explain that you have a medical situation that you need to address and that you will need time off. Tell him or her that you do not feel comfortable discussing details, but that you desperately need life-saving medical treatment and …
Should you tell your boss about your workplace therapy appointments?
Call Now: 800-681-7369 Who Answers? Most employers can’t make you disclose the exact reason you’re taking a medical leave. Whether you are required to tell your employer, you are taking time off for drug rehab depends on your employer. Technically, it is an illness and you do not have to disclose the specifics of an illness to an employer.
Should you disclose that you’re in therapy in the workplace?
You are not legally required to tell your employer the specifics of your condition. In fact, many people entering rehab choose not to divulge this fact to their employer. You can always request an unpaid leave of absence for personal medical or non-medical reasons — no further explanation needed. Alternatively, if you’ve accumulated enough ...
Should I tell my employer 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.
How do you tell your boss you're recovering?
Provide gory details about your past. Explaining recovery to an employer shouldn't involve regaling anyone with the sordid details of your past. Keep it simple: “I was addicted to alcohol, but I've been in recovery for six months and am committed to lifelong sobriety.”
How to get your work covered while away?
Talk to your team and let them know how long you will be away and that contact may be difficult. Identify and assign someone else on the team to be the go-to person for your subordinate’s questions while you are away.
How long can you be on FMLA?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. You have the right to return to your current position after taking time off for medical treatment, parental leave, and other major life events.
How to explain medical issues to your boss?
Go to your boss and explain that you have a medical situation that you need to address and that you will need time off. Tell him or her that you do not feel comfortable discussing details, but that you desperately need life-saving medical treatment and ask for support.
How to keep your job?
You do not have to disclose details. Explain that you want to keep your job, but that you simply must take a few weeks off. Ask your boss for guidance.
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 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.
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.
Do you have to tell your boss you need to go to rehab?
Here is some great news – you may not have to tell your boss if you need to go to rehab. Yes, it’s true! A substance use disorder is recognized as a legitimate medical condition in the eyes of the law. This means you may not have to disclose the specifics of your situation to your boss or manager. In many cases, you can work directly ...
Can an employer take action against an employee for substance abuse?
Furthermore, “the employer may not take action against the employee because the employee has exercised his or her right to take FMLA leave for substance abuse treatment.”.
What is the first thing to take into consideration when rehabing?
The first thing to take into consideration is your rights . It’s important to know your rights regarding rehab and your work if you’re going to have this conversation. While it can be a scary conversation to think about, knowing more about this subject makes it easier to complete this step.
How long do you have to work for the same employer?
Have been working with the same employer for at least 12 months . These 12 months don’t need to happen consecutively; you could have worked 12 months on and off as long as you worked those months with the same employer. Have worked at least 1,250 hours during your time with your employer.
Why is it important to return to work?
Returning to work is important, however, because it helps reduce the chances of relapsing.
How long can you be on FMLA?
This law gives employees the right to leave for up to 12 weeks in order to participate in a rehabilitation program. It’s important to highlight, however, that employees have to qualify for this.
Why do you need to go to a recovery center?
Perhaps you’ve reached out to a recovery center because you’re ready to fight your substance use disorder. This is a hard decision to make, and now, you have to tell your employer about it. Many substance users convince themselves that they’re okay because they continue to have a job. It’s estimated that 70% of substance users hold a steady job, ...
Do you have to tell your employer that you have a medical condition?
You have to tell your employer that this medical condition requires treatment that will pull you away from work for some time. Be sure to disclose the amount of time you might need. No matter how much you may want to conceal what’s wrong, some employers require a medical health certification to grant you leave.
Can you talk to your employer about rehab?
While you may not want to talk about rehab with your employer, at least you know that certain laws have been put in place to protect you. Yes, there is a stigma associated with substance use disorder, but you can deal with that afterward.
What to do when you return to work?
When you return to work, it is essential that you fulfill any requirements set forth in the Return-to-Work agreement that your employer may have set forth before you left for treatment. This may entail that you willingly comply with any drug tests you may need to take upon your arrival. Lastly, it is essential that as you transition back to work that you find healthier coping mechanisms for your stress to ensure that you do not potentially relapse in the future. This could include eating healthier, exercising, and meditating and as mentioned previously, attending 12-step meetings and working through the 12-steps with a sponsor.
How long can you work on FMLA?
Lastly, it is possible that you may qualify for 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave due to medical reasons (going to drug/alcohol rehab) within a 12-month period under the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act).
How many people are employed with substance abuse?
Furthermore, despite some common stereotypes and misconceptions around addiction being a main concern with people who are already unemployed, the reality is that an estimated 76% of people suffering from a substance abuse disorder are actually employed.
What is the best way to recover from addiction?
It is most beneficial for your recovery that you attend 12-step program meetings , either through AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or any other drug-affiliated 12-step program, such as NA (Narcotics Anonymous) or CA (Cocaine Anonymous), while in treatment.
Can you leave treatment early?
This means that once entering treatment, you make a promise to yourself and your well-being that you will under no circumstances leave treatment prematurely. If you followed the tips on preparing your work for your absence, there should be no reason to leave treatment early anyways.
Does receiving treatment strengthen your job?
Receiving treatment can only strengthen your job performance upon returning to work. As such, do not worry about judgement from your boss or coworkers, it is likely that they personally know people who suffer from this disease and may have compassion for you.
Can not seeking treatment cause you to lose your job?
The irony is that not seeking treatment can actually cause you to lose your job in the first place. Have the tough conversation with your employer. You may be pleasantly surprised when they end up encouraging you to take the next steps to improve your well-being by walking on a path of sobriety.
Why should employers accept drug treatment?
As the information about drug addiction and illness become more accepted, more employers are accepting of drug treatment as an alternative to losing a valuable already trained employee. Approaching your employer in a practical manner and simply stating that you have a problem that needs to be taken care of before you can return to work might be the most simple solution.
How long does it take to get off work for rehab?
Most rehabs offer both short and long term programs but the shortest program is often two weeks. That is a lot of time to take off work. You might be wondering how to approach your employer about taking this time off to get off drugs and get healthy.
Can a doctor write a note about sick leave?
Sick leave – there are doctors that will write you nonspecific notes about why you need to time off for an illness. Most doctors that know you are going in for drug treatment will not put the reason for the leave on the note or excuse.
Can employers make you disclose your medical leave?
Most employers can’t make you disclose the exact reason you’re taking a medical leave.
Is it hard to go to inpatient rehab?
Many individuals struggle to make the choice to attend inpatient rehab. It can be difficult to live away from your family and to stay in a facility full of strangers. In addition, the program can often be expensive and unnecessary depending on a particular patient’s needs and diagnosis. However, inpatient drug rehab can be absolutely … Continue reading
Why is it important to have a plan in place?
When you have a plan in place, it helps take care of any questions your boss may have. “You look proactive and your boss understands that you’re handling it. And it makes it a lot easier for them to say, ‘Yes, that sounds good. I can see that you’ve covered everything,’” Wilding said.
Is there a stigma attached to therapy?
Successfully Subscribed! But at work, there is often still a stigma attached to therapy. Talking with your friends about going can be far easier than talking about it with the manager who decides your raises and promotions. And the vulnerability you create when you share that you do therapy can be used against you.
Do you owe your boss your life story?
Assess the culture of your workplace and your personal comfort level before mentioning the appointments to your boss. “You absolutely do not owe anyone the entirety of your life story,” said Tanisha Ranger, a Nevada-based licensed clinical psychologist.
Can an employer share confidential information with coworkers?
It can be reassuring to know that your employer cannot legally share this confidential information, even with your co-workers.
Can an employer ask for a medical question?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can keep your condition private. Your employer is not allowed to ask medical questions unless you are asking for a “reasonable accommodation” for a medical condition, however, scheduling work around therapy appointments is one of the specific examples the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission gives in its guide of possible accommodations employees can get.
How to tell your coworkers you have a mental illness?
If you do want to disclose to your co-workers that you have undergone treatment for a mental illness, plan exactly how much you want to tell and what details you prefer to leave out. While you are in treatment, your therapists can work with you to help you figure out how to have these conversations in ways that are productive but also make you feel comfortable and that respect your privacy.
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.
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.
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) ...
Can you be treated differently if you disclose your mental health?
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. You may miss out on opportunities for new positions or advancement if your boss erroneously thinks you can’t do the work.
How to protect yourself from being dismissed from your job?
If your employer comes to you first about a reduction in workplace performance quality, you can protect yourself from being dismissed from your job by being honest about your addiction disorder. Often employers will be legally required or required by union policy to allow their employees to attempt treatment before firing them.
Who to speak to about disability?
Once all the necessary information has been gathered, it’s best to speak to your employer or human resources officer as soon as possible.
Why don't people seek treatment for addiction?
Due to stigma and fears of losing employment, among other reasons, many people who need treatment for addiction disorders don’t seek it out. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there were 23.5 million people in the US aged 12 or older who needed addiction treatment in 2009, but only 2.6 million of them received any treatment. Knowing your rights in terms of addiction treatment while employed can be the first step toward getting needed help.
What is a medical professional?
A medical professional may be able to provide more information on state disability benefits and guide individuals through the application process. It’s also important to know that employers are required to maintain confidentiality regarding their employees’ medical issues.
What percentage of people with substance abuse issues hold jobs?
They have bills to pay, families to support, and careers to build. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 76 percent of people with substance abuse issues hold jobs. Many people fear that getting treatment at all will hurt their careers or get them fired. However, there are laws that protect people ...
How many hours do you have to work to get medical leave?
Have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months preceding their medical leave
Is it better to be honest with your employer?
It’s often better to be honest and straightforward with your employer, especially since employees are protected by confidentiality. If your employer comes to you first about a reduction in workplace performance quality, you can protect yourself from being dismissed from your job by being honest about your addiction disorder.
