Tag: drug addiction

When Employees Claim to Be Addicts—What, if Anything, Should Employers Do?

With the rise of opioid and other drug addiction in the US today, employers have to wonder—is it possible one of my employees is dealing with addiction? In the final article of a four-part series, Littler shareholder Dale L. Deitchler and associate Jeffrey E. Dilger, discuss how to handle issues of reported addiction and addiction […]

Now What? Disciplining an Employee with a Suspected Addiction or Substance Abuse Issue

With the rise of opioid and other drug addiction in the United States today, employers have to wonder—is it possible one of my employees is dealing with addiction? In the third article of a four-part series, Littler shareholder Dale L. Deitchler and associate Jeffrey E. Dilger discuss how to approach discipline where an employee might […]

When Can You Intervene in an Employee Substance Abuse Issue?

In part 1 of this article we began to explore some of the laws and approaches surrounding employees with potential substance abuse problems. Today we will look at some examples of employees with substance abuse problems as well as some training and guidance tips.

How to Approach an Employee Who Might Be Dealing with Addiction

With the rise of opioid and other drug addiction in the US today, employers have to wonder – is it possible one of my employees is dealing with addiction? In the first article of a three-part series, Littler shareholders Dale L. Deitchler and Jeffery E. Dilger, discuss how an employer should approach an employee who […]

Opioid Crisis: What Is Needed Most from HR?

When it comes to dealing with opioid addiction in the workplace, it’s not always immediately clear what’s needed most from HR: Is it compassion? A dose of tough love? A strategic focus on the hard facts?

Opioid Crisis: 5 Tips to Address Addiction in the Workplace

Like abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs, the nation’s growing opioid epidemic is presenting workplace challenges. The current opioid epidemic has been called the worst drug crisis in American history, reaching every corner of society, including workplaces both large and small. This epidemic involves the use of prescription opioid (pain) medications and illicit drugs, including […]

In ‘denial’: Alberta Court of Appeal revisits addiction in the workplace

by Hannah Roskey The Alberta Court of Appeal recently released its decision in Stewart v. Elk Valley Coal Corporation, a must-read for Canadian employers dealing with employee addiction issues. In lengthy reasons, a majority of the court agreed that there was no discrimination when an employee under the influence of cocaine was fired following a […]

Not all relapses are created equal

by Stephanie Gutierrez An addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is considered a disability in Canada. As such, employers in Canada often enter into last chance agreements with employees suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction. But does a last chance agreement always mean it’s the employee’s “last chance”? Not necessarily.

‘But it was due to my addiction’—when is last-minute confession too late?

By Kyla Stott-Jess It is not uncommon for an employee to disclose an addiction only when being terminated for misconduct that may be related to the employee’s substance abuse. The employee then tries to trigger human rights protections due to his or her “disability.” A recent Alberta court decision, Bish v. Elk Valley Coal Corporation, […]