What steps can employers take when working with an employee battling a substance abuse problem?

Employers need to consider how they would want to be addressed if they had a problem, most likely respectfully and confidentially. Address the individual’s behavior in a timely manner, one to one, staying focused on the behavior. This is about the employee’s behavior, not about who they are as a person. Addiction is a treatable disease. Once compared to diabetes, a treatable disease, with advances in science it is now suggested that drug addiction is a brain disease similar to clinical depression . People with alcoholism and/or drug addiction can be treated and live fulfilling, productive and meaningful lives. Document all incidents and keep records in their personnel file. Develop a performance contract for the employee. The expected performance improvements should be realistic and clearly written. Base the performance contract on the employee’s job description, or the employee’s most current past evaluation / appraisal. The employer sets a target date by which the employee will ...  more