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Only 38% of Employees Seek Addiction Help From Their Company's HR Department

 

Learn how your company can “Do Better”

We surveyed more than 800 professionals across 30 industries and regardless of their unique characteristics there was a singular, resounding message: HR teams want to provide assistance to employees struggling with addiction, but more than half of employees do not feel safe asking for help.

The Hope House, Arizona’s leading addiction treatment center, put together a comprehensive analysis of the data collected and provided 5 actionable steps to make employee assistance more accessible and approachable to your workforce.

Addiction in the Workplace by the Numbers

of HR professionals report an increase in alcohol-related issues in the workplace since the start of COVID-19.

of HR professionals felt comfortable approaching an employee about addiction or mental health.

of employees report increased symptoms of anxiety or depression since the pandemic started.

Implement Company-Wide Change with these tactics

1. Help Employees Understand Addiction

The root of addiction is unique to each person and its causes are varied, being triggered by trauma, mental health problems, unsettling life experiences, or other outside forces. HR professionals can help eliminate the stigma around addiction with policies that encourage employees get the help they need when they need it and educate their coworkers on addiction.

2. Remove Barriers to Treatment

Asking for help requires more than just admitting there is a problem. There are numerous other barriers to getting help including: work responsibilities, family obligations, cost of treatment, privacy concerns, embarrassment and shame, fear of reprisals, and finding a facility and amenities that support an individual’s unique recovery needs.

3. Create an Inclusive Company Culture

Recovery from addiction is about learning new behaviors and a better way of coping. Therefore, it’s critical employees receive support and understanding from employers when coming forward with an alcohol or drug addiction issue. Companies that adopt a punitive perspective on addiction are more likely to further inhibit an employee from seeking help.

4. Communicate with Employees More Often

57% of employees are unaware if their company’s HR department provides any support for alcohol, drug, or mental health symptoms. This is why mentioning addiction assistance only during onboarding or in the employee handbook is never enough. Sensitive matters such as addiction necessitate frequent communication to emphasize help is available when it’s needed.

5. Develop Partnerships Around Recovery

Shift your company’s addiction policies out of neutral with powerful programming and partnerships. Companies with employee assistance programs (EAP) in combination with an accredited addiction rehabilitation center partner can help employees move toward recovery sooner.

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  • Addiction in the Workplace
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