Job security is a common question that many have before they commit to treatment, and understandably so. Your job is your livelihood and you wouldn’t want to do anything that could jeopardize it. The decision to enter rehab and get yourself healthy and sober is always going to be a better option than to continue down the spiraling path, getting you deeper into addiction. The reality is that your job and your life are in jeopardy every time you continue to engage the same detrimental and unhealthy behaviors that have led you to this point.
However, there is good news: there are many laws and acts that have been established to help provide you job security when you decide to get help. Getting healthy and sober will not only be beneficial to you personally, emotionally, and physically, but it will also be an improvement to your future and current career development.
Discussing Rehab With Your Employer
There is no doubt that addiction affects every aspect of daily life, including your job performance. You may not notice it now, but as your addiction progresses, the decline will become majorly noticeable for others around you. Lack of focus, coming in late, missing work entirely, and even irritability at work are all effects of addiction. When you are ready to talk to your employer about your decision to get help, you should take the following steps:
- Be open and transparent about your willingness to better yourself through the help of treatment. Speaking genuinely and honestly will help your employer better understand your situation and allow them to provide you the assistance you need at work to accommodate it.
- Ensure major projects and responsibilities are finished or managed by the appropriate personnel so that when you are gone, you will have the back-up needed to take care of these tasks during your absence.
- Inform your coworkers that you will be out of the office while you are coordinating back-up. You have the right to privacy, so you do not have to tell them the reason why if you are uncomfortable with them knowing.
Discrimination Protections At the Workplace
You have rights and you are protected from discrimination even when you are going through a difficult time, such as recovery from addiction. As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), your employer can not terminate you because you enter a rehabilitation program. Should you face repercussions for your decision and you believe that you have been unfairly treated or discriminated by your employer, you can file against them for this discrimination through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
In addition to job protections, the Family and Medical Leave Act provides qualifying individuals with the ability to use 12 workweeks of unpaid leave for family or medical purposes during a 12-month period. During this time, your job is protected and this leave can be used for substance abuse treatment. While you are away, it is required that your privacy is kept safe and your employer is legally required to keep the reason for your leave and the details of your addiction confidential.
Tennessee Substance Abuse Treatment Alternatives
When you are ready to get help, Discovery Place is a supportive Tennessee addiction treatment center alternative which has a proven 12-step approach to helping addicts work towards sobriety. Our medical detox program alternatives will ensure that you are weaned off alcohol and drugs in the safest and comfortable way possible. We are here to help you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don’t hesitate to call our drug and alcohol rehabilitation alternative center today at 1-800-725-0922 to discuss your situation with our caring staff.
