NCJ Number
123755
Journal
Labor Law Journal Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 214-221
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Practical, legal, and ethical issues should encourage employers to provide effective intervention for employees addicted to alcohol and other substances.
Abstract
There are practical reasons why it is in the employer's interest to help employees deal with their addictions. Untreated addictions can be costly to workplace production and safety. This translates into lost profits and increased costs for workmen's compensation. Legal considerations that should stimulate employers to meet addicted employees' needs pertain to Federal and State laws that require employers to accommodate handicapped workers (various addictive diseases have been ruled to be handicaps). Based on various ethical business models (utilitarian, rights, or justice), employers should be moved to assist addicted employees. This suggests that employers should establish an Employee Assistance Plan to deal with the needs of addicted employees, provide preventive education to employees, and train supervisors to deal constructively with addicted employees. 21 footnotes.