I’m Going To Rehab; What Should I Tell My Boss?

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), two-thirds of adults living with substance use disorders (SUDs) have jobs. However, maintaining employment can become more difficult as SUD progresses, not to mention the health risks, relationship issues, and other challenges that come with addiction.

Getting professional treatment is the best way to achieve recovery and prepare for a healthy future. There are also laws in place to help protect your right to seek treatment as an employee, minimizing the risk of losing your job. And you don’t necessarily have to tell your boss anything more than that you will be taking medical leave for a short time.

Here are several important things you should know before telling your boss you’re going to rehab, and some advice for how to have this important conversation.

First: Learn About Your Legal Rights

When it comes to workplace protections for SUDs, two of the most important pieces of legislation to know are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

First, the ADA prevents your company from discriminating against you on the basis of a qualifying SUD. This includes both current or past experience with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and past experience with a drug use disorder. Note that the ADA does not provide protections if you are currently using illicit drugs or misusing prescription drugs, as this is illegal.

The ADA also requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” to their employees who have qualifying disabilities, which could include modifying your schedule to help you attend peer support meetings or outpatient treatment services in the future.

The FMLA, in contrast, is a law that gives eligible employees (around 56% of all U.S. workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor) up to 12 weeks of unpaid but job-protected leave each year that they can choose to use for certain family and medical reasons, which can include addiction treatment. This can allow you to leave your job, attend a residential treatment program, and go back to your old position afterward without any sort of penalty.

Second: Check Your Company Policies

Many organizations have workplace-supported recovery programs or other policies, procedures, and even resources that you can use to make the process of going to rehab simpler, including options for taking medical leave even if you don’t qualify for FMLA leave.

Other times, these rules may make it more complicated to get the treatment you need, so it’s important to understand all the details.

Third: Put It In Writing

Alongside a verbal conversation with your boss, you’ll want to create a formal written request that includes the reason for your leave (medical treatment), as well as a tentative start and ending date.

By putting down your request on paper, you make sure that there will be a clear written record of the situation, which can be important in the event of a future legal dispute. You may also have to file for FMLA or other medical leave using your employer’s electronic systems around the same time.

Avoid sharing any details about your condition in this document that are not absolutely necessary, as maintaining your privacy can also be helpful.

Fourth: Telling Your Boss You’re Going To Rehab

When it is time to have the conversation with your boss, make sure it is in a private environment. Keep things simple and to the point, speaking honestly and directly, and make sure to cover these main points:

• You are facing a personal health challenge.
• You need help from a rehabilitation program to recover.
• You are committed to your job and this treatment will help you be a better team member.
• The dates you will be away.

You don’t have to share any more details than these if you don’t want to, and your boss can’t force you to share personal health details either. As part of your normal workplace responsibilities, your boss may ask you to help make arrangements to make sure your workload is managed during your absence.

Fifth: Maintain Your Privacy

Under the ADA, your employer isn’t legally allowed to share any medical information that you haven’t shared openly. This means that your employer can tell your colleagues that you are away on medical leave, but they can’t share what kind of treatment you are receiving or what condition you are receiving treatment for.

Even so, it’s a good idea to let your boss know what you are and are not comfortable sharing with your team.

Sixth: Reach Out To Bedrock Recovery To Get The Help You Need

If you are facing drug or alcohol addiction and need the help of an effective, evidence-based, and well-regarded addiction treatment facility, Bedrock Recovery Center in Canton, MA, can help. We offer personalized addiction treatment programs, including medical detox and residential treatment, for all forms of substance use disorder, with a focus on evidence-based treatment and a client-centered approach. We also provide dual diagnosis treatment for people facing both addiction and another mental health disorder, including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and more.

Contact us today to learn more.