What would happen if a staff member disclosed an addiction?

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Tone

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In your organization, what would happen if a staff member disclosed a narcotic addiction and asked for help?

The service is a large, modern, professional EMS operation. An employee who had been having alot of personal and health problems began to have attendance issues.

This employee, at the advice of his friends, family and cooworkers, went to his employers HR department, disclosed his opiate addiction and asked for help. Specifically, he asked to be placed in inpatient treatement as soon as possible.

Everyone who was aware of the situation was very surprised at the lack of support available from the organization. This person chose to stop working and go on a medical leave of absence. First, this employee's short term was denied since there is no coverage for being off with addictions. So, right away they aren't being paid.

The only help offered by the employer was literally just a typical line:

" We adivse you seek medical care from your family doctor, or if you feel you need care sooner we advise you go to the emergency department"

"if you would like to access councelling you can call the EAP 1-800 number" This is phone counceling only.

So there was NO REHAB, no treatment, no support arranged. All there was was a DENIAL of short term, which resulted in the employee not being paid. Pretty sure this would just force a person back on the ambulance earlier than ideal.


Can anyone share examples of similar experiences or share your department's policy?
 
Seems to dance on the legal advice line... Maybe not quite there yet...

MY department would put you through rehab. Can't speak for others though.
 
My company, honestly, would do what yours is doing.
 
shfd739 said:
Same here for the rehab/treatment thing. If a person comes forward and asks for help they will get it.
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Assuming rehab goes well, what changes would a person expect when (if?) they come back to work?
 
Tigger said:
Assuming rehab goes well, what changes would a person expect when (if?) they come back to work?
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For us, none. A pat on the back for kicking the habit, and business as usual. And there would be no "if" after they finish with rehab. Welcomed back with open arms. They may be subject to random evaluations to make sure they haven't returned to their addiction, but that's about it.
 
If FDNY catches you with drugs in your system, you are fired no questions zero tolerance.

If you openly come to your superiors seeking help and admitting you have a problem, they will put you on medical leave on your own sick/vacation time and get you the help you need until you are fit for duty.
 
Same as above.

The Army, on the other hand, will let you rehab once. A second incident or a failure to return to duty in a timely fashion generally results in a discharge.
 
Most 1-800 EAP numbers are referral lines to real in person counselors. NEVER heard of telephone counseling.

Nurses in some states have an option in diversion programs, where they avoid recriminations for such things as the theft of drugs, falsification of records, etc., as part of the sickness. HOWEVER, any harm to pt's and other acts associated with the abuse are still in play. Might as well kiss your license goodbye, but a lot less likely to see prison time. Do paramedics or other prehospital EMS workers have such in other states.
 
NYMedic828 said:
If FDNY catches you with drugs in your system, you are fired no questions zero tolerance.

If you openly come to your superiors seeking help and admitting you have a problem, they will put you on medical leave on your own sick/vacation time and get you the help you need until you are fit for duty.
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So they do random testing?
 
Would I be able to have a Mod delete this thead? after posting I feel its too specific. thanks.
 
Tone said:
So they do random testing?
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Yes.

But, in 3 and a half years I haven't been tested once. At the same time I know people who have been tested twice in one week.
 
PoeticInjustice said:
For us, none. A pat on the back for kicking the habit, and business as usual. And there would be no "if" after they finish with rehab. Welcomed back with open arms. They may be subject to random evaluations to make sure they haven't returned to their addiction, but that's about it.
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Same here.
 
If you voluntarily ask for help, they send you to rehab. If you voluntarily ask for help again, they send you to rehab again. Third time, you're fired.

One involuntary(random testing, after an accident, reasonable suspicion, AWOL, more than an hour late for work, etc)...rehab. Another involuntary, you're fired.

A combo of involuntary/voluntary(or vice versa), you go to rehab twice. Any incident after that, you're fired.

We can be tested any time, for any reason, even if you're not 'on the radar'

Nobody is treated differently when they come back. They are welcomed back and everyone is glad to see them better.

Yes, people do get fired for addiction, despite the many chances.

Look up FMLA...
He can go out under FMLA(unpaid), go to rehab, and return to work.
 
Tone said:
Would I be able to have a Mod delete this thead? after posting I feel its too specific. thanks.
Click to expand...

I see no reason to delete this thread.
 
I do think the American with disabilities act pertains to some of this issue, ie. a employee getting help for an addiction problem. Maybe I will look it up some time this week.
 
We get tested randomly. I've been selected maybe five times in 5+ years. Employees on opiates without prescriptions are fired.

More importantly, to the OP, did that person get help from any source?
 
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