The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund
The Stepping In It Podcast is a weekly discussion of the latest news and trends in behavioral health policy development and practice. Each episode features interviews with experts from across the field, including policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates. The podcast provides listeners with practical tips and resources for improving the quality and access to behavioral health care.
The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund
68. Drug Use in the Workplace: Prevention and Policies to Protect Your Workforce
Substance use in the workplace poses serious risks, from decreased productivity and poor decision-making to accidents and high turnover. Kicking off with our trademark whiny farmer intro, this episode breaks down the challenges employers face, including inefficiency, theft, and morale issues, while navigating the gray areas of detecting substance abuse. We present recent data on the prevalence and financial impact of drug and alcohol use among U.S. employees and industries. Finally, we explore the complications of supporting employees through recovery, including FMLA protections and operational challenges, and discuss best practices for fostering a safe, healthy, and productive work environment—whether it’s the day shift, third shift, or on-call teams.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Mastering strategies for addressing substance abuse at work can transform your workplace into a supportive and safe environment.
- Navigating behavioral health systems will equip you with the knowledge to effectively support employees struggling with substance abuse.
- Understanding the impact of drug use in the workplace is crucial for implementing preventative measures and maintaining productivity.
- Exploring legal protections for employees in recovery will empower you to create inclusive workplace policies and support systems.
- Developing workplace policies on drug testing and substance abuse can fortify your company's commitment to a healthy and drug-free environment.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction to the Stepping in podcast
00:03:31 - Impact of substance abuse in the workplace
00:07:03 - Challenges in addressing substance abuse at work
00:09:46 - Importance of workplace training
00:12:28 - Lack of Policy on Substance Use Disorders
00:13:07 - Impact of Substance Use on Work Performance
00:14:59 - Social Cost of Substance Use
00:17:45 - Impaired Employees and Workplace Safety
00:21:26 - Addressing Stigma and Supporting Recovery
00:25:15 - Practicing Gratitude
00:25:35 - Gratitude for Listeners
00:26:02 - Holiday Challenges
00:26:19 - Resources and Assistance
00:27:04 - Call to Action
Links:
- https://providernews.anthem.com/california/articles/alcohol-use-disorder-has-a-big-cost-5-10564
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasp/evaluation/topic-areas/substance-use-disorder-work
Connect with us:
https://ruralpolicypartners.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/
https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartners
https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pYL_kuSxeAQ