Employers may experience apprehension at the thought of hiring or retaining a person in recovery. A critical part of recovery for many individuals is a sense of purpose and belonging in their workplace and communities. Navigating the ins and outs of recovery can be a long a trying journey; creating a recovery friendly workplace can seem like a daunting task. But with a contemporary and scientific understanding of substance use disorder and insight into related business operations of responding to that disease, it does not need to be an overwhelming or complicated experience.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), RecoveryOhio, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and the training and consulting firm Working Partners have partnered together to create these Recovery Friendly Employer Training Modules. They expand upon a suite of training modules in an “Opioid Toolkit” first launched by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce in 2017 created in response to employers requesting resources to address the opioid problem in their workplaces.

These trainings focus on a science-based explanation of substance use disorder to reduce stigma and develop effective strategies for managing it. The trainings guide employers in developing a business approach to hiring and retaining employees in recovery. For individuals, the trainings can help them navigate workplace policies, practices and culture so they can maintain their recovery while also managing possible triggers.

Navigate through the training module videos below to learn more about sustaining a recovery friendly workplace:

Module 1 - The Impact of Opioids in the Workplace

Objectives of Module:

1. To increase awareness about the current rates of illicit drug use – with special emphasis on Ohio’s opiate epidemic
   • Current rates of use
   • Drug testing positivity rates- the measure of impact on workplaces
2. To increase understanding of the implications of these current drug trends
   • Areas of measured loss
   • Healthcare and insurance implications
3. To increase awareness of a best-practice approach to maintaining a workplace free from the effects of alcohol/drugs
   • Policy and procedures
   • Employee education
   • Supervisor training
   • Testing
   • Employee assistance
4. To offer resources for continued learning and three (3) practical action steps

 Watch Now: The Impact of Opioids in the Workplace (approx. 16 minutes)

Module 2 - A Legally-Sound Drug-Free Workplace Programs

Objectives of Module:

1. To increase awareness of the legal issues and authorities influencing an employer’s handling of employee drug issues
   • Constitutional Law
   • Federal Laws
   • State Laws
   • Local/Municipal Laws
2. To increase awareness of four policy areas of legal sensitivity because of the impact to employee rights and employment
   • Alcohol and drug rules
   • Testing protocols
   • Consequences of policy violations
   • Offering assistance to employees who misuse drugs/alcohol
3. To offer resources for continued learning and three (3) practical action steps

Watch Now: Legally-Sound Drug-Free Workplace Programs: What am I allowed (or not allowed) to do? (approx. 16 minutes)

Module 3 - Crafting a Policy That's Right for Your Business Operation and Culture

Objectives of Module:

1. To increase awareness about the role that written policy with procedures plays within a legally-sound and effective DFWP program
2. To increase understanding of what should be included in comprehensive DFWP policy and procedures
   • Definitions
   • Rules
   • Testing protocols
   • Consequences for policy/program violations
   • Employee assistance
3. To explore common policy challenges including
   • Use vs. under the influence
   • Alcohol use in the scope of employment
   • Use of prescription medications
4. To learn how to qualify resources for program documents development
5. To offer resources for continued learning and three (3) practical action steps

Watch Now: Crafting a Policy That's Right for YOUR Business Operation and Culture (approx. 15 minutes)

Module 4 - The Why, When & How of Workplace Drug Testing

Objectives of Module:

1. To gain insight about the critical role testing plays in keeping a workplace drug-free
2. To acquire more sensitivity to the risks associated with testing
3. To assist the learner in answering three important questions about testing applicants and current employees:
   • When to test
   • What to test for
   • How to test
4. To offer information about selecting a drug testing vendor
5. To offer resources for continued learning and three (3) practical action steps

Watch Now: The Why, When & How of Workplace Drug Testing (approx. 13 minutes)

Module 5 - Responding to an Employee's Harmful Use of Drugs

Objective of Module:

1. To increase understanding of employer options when they have knowledge – from a confession, observation or positive test -- that an employee is misusing drugs
2. To increase awareness of a best-practice approach to offering employees a “second-chance”
   • Assistance Agreements
   • Return-to-Duty Procedures
3. To increase knowledge about where to send employees who need assistance
   • Community Resources (private and public)
   • Union Benefits
   • Insurance/Healthcare considerations
   • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
4. To increase understanding about the potential levels of care following an alcohol/drug assessment
5. To offer resources for continued learning and three (3) practical action steps

Watch Now: Responding to an Employee's Harmful Use of Drugs (approx. 13 minutes)

Module 6 - Building a Healthy & Productive Workforce by Supporting Employees in Recovery

The thought of hiring or retaining a person in recovery may prompt concern or apprehension for an employer. But with a contemporary and scientific understanding of substance use disorder and insight into related business operations of responding to that disease, it does not need to be an overwhelming or complicated experience.

This course provides education about recovery and guides employers in developing a business approach to hiring and retaining employees in recovery.  This course addresses:

1. A science-based explanation of substance use disorder as it relates to the employee and the workplace
2. What employers can do to help employees manage their recovery to prevent a recurrence of symptoms
3. How to create a recovery supportive work environment conducive to recruiting and sustaining a safe, healthy, productive and drug-free workplace

The course also provides the following downloadable resources:

• The Science of Addiction
• Questions Employers Can Ask About Accommodation
• Medical Marijuana in Ohio
• Avoiding Stigmatizing Language
• Preventing and Managing a Reoccurrence of Symptoms
• Creating a Recovery Supportive Workplace
• Additional Information and Helping Resources

Watch Now: Building a Healthy & Productive Workforce by Supporting Employees in Recovery (approx. 30 minutes)

Module 7 - Navigating My Recovery at Work

It is not uncommon for employees in recovery from substance use disorder to have successful careers and make positive contributions to the workforce. What is new is our scientific understanding of addiction as a chronic health condition and the push for employers to treat it like one --  to have policies and practices that not only prevent and identify substance misuse but also support employees who are successfully maintaining recovery. Practices, by the way, that can support wellness among all employees.

Having meaningful employment can be a powerful tool for supporting health and giving purpose and meaning to anyone’s life. But the pressures of a job can be stressful and risky for someone maintaining long-term recovery. This course addresses:

1. The recovery journey, and how a person’s frame of mind can set the stage for long-term success on the job
2. The importance of finding meaningful work that will enhance versus threaten recovery
3. How to navigate workplace policies, practices and culture to stay well; and how to avoid and manage things that could trigger a reoccurrence of symptoms

The course also provides the following downloadable resources:

• The Science of Addiction
• Overcoming Shame and Guilt
• Identifying and Managing Triggers
• Workplace Rules, Culture and Workload
• Career Tools and Helping Resources
• Good Fit Worksheet
• Additional Information and Helping Resources

Watch Now: Navigating My Recovery at Work  (approx. 30 minutes)

Module 8 - A Dose of Reality for Employees

A Dose of Reality for Employees: Being a Safe and Critical Consumer of Prescription Medications

We have all been hearing and reading things in the media about our nation’s opioid and prescription painkiller epidemic. Many of us even know someone who has developed a problem with those types of drugs. But in this course, learners will be invited to take a look at their relationship with ALL prescription medications -- not just the ones that cause addiction and even death.

The course asks learners to examine their reality with prescription medications, and how they can protect themselves and the people they  care about by using safe and responsible practices. Specifically, the course addresses:

1. Dynamics that have impacted our misuse of prescription medications
2. A practical, 3-point strategy to help employees be safe and critical consumers of prescription medications

The course also provides the following downloadable resources:

• Questions for Your Doctor/Healthcare Provider
• Questions for Your Pharmacist
• Avoid Sharing Your Medications
• Using Medications As Directed
• How to Dispose of Outdated and Unused Medications
• Drug Disposal Options
• Locating a Medication Take-Back Location
• Helping Resources

Watch Now: A Dose of Reality for Employees (approx. 30 minutes)