what to expect at work after boss returns from rehab

Will I Lose my job after going to rehab?

Oct 07, 2021 · After spending a lot of time in a rehabilitation program, you must now face the challenges of daily life. You may be afraid of losing your job after drug rehab. Alternatively, you may be worried that the stress of returning to community life will be a trigger for a possible relapse. Meanwhile, these emotions are very normal, many people can ...

What should I expect after rehab?

Feb 26, 2018 · Talk to your therapist or sponsor about finding work that feels rewarding. Ask for guidance from your Higher Power. Read tips on searching for work after treatment. Ask an English major friend (or visit websites like this one) to …

Is it normal to feel nervous about leaving rehab?

Dec 01, 2020 · You will need to contact human resources regarding the dates you expect to be absent from work for ongoing treatment and any modified work hours you will need. The FMLA protections can also help you cope once you return to the workplace after rehab. For example, FMLA allows you to work reduced hours after treatment.

What are the signs you’re consciously taking your recovery seriously?

Start Your Recovery Today. If you’re hesitant to enter a rehab program, keep in mind that this journey can be taken one step at a time. Call Rehab After Work at (610) 644-6464, or fill out a contact form on our website to take the first step towards recovery. Get Help for Addiction.

How to transition back to work after rehab?

If you are transitioning back to work after rehab, it is important to establish any needed accommodations with your employer. You should contact your human resources department to determine if you will need to certify your leave, which requires you to provide your employer with notification from a medical professional, certifying the necessity of your medical leave. You will need to contact human resources regarding the dates you expect to be absent from work for ongoing treatment and any modified work hours you will need.

What is return to work agreement?

“Return-to-work agreements spell out expectations for an employee returning to work after treatment. The return-to-work agreement is confidential; so are any communications between your supervisor and you. This agreement protects you and your employer. It’s a clear reminder of your personal accountability to your workplace and how they are expected to help you in return.”

Why is aftercare important?

A major transition like this can have ups and downs, so rely on your aftercare plan to keep your relapse risk lower. Aftercare plans are there to support you and keep you accountable in recovery. Support groups and alumni gatherings are vital aftercare resources to use.”

What is aftercare support?

Treatment programs that offer aftercare support can allow you to make a smoother transition back to work after rehab. Aftercare programs help you make a plan for setting outpatient appointments, determine what you will do if faced with relapse triggers, and identify ways to manage your behaviors.

What is a work transition plan?

You and your employer can create a work transition plan that fits your specific situation. Share your treatment goals and needs with them so they know about changes in your living arrangements or work availability. The plan also helps your employer know what to do if you struggle during your transition.”

What is burnout relapse?

“Burnout is a combination of physical, emotional and psychological exhaustion. Recovering from a substance use disorder can make exhaustion more likely, which can mean burnout relapse. You’ve just established your healthy habits, so they’re less stable. You might also find yourself replacing your substance use with an addiction to work. At this early stage, it can take less stress and exhaustion to cause you to relapse. Take self-care seriously and prioritize healthy eating and good sleep.”

Can you work after inpatient treatment?

Once you return to work after completing in patient treatment, you may be protected if you have to be absent from work for ongoing treatment. For instance, if you need to attend intensive outpatient appointments as a part of your ongoing drug addiction treatment, your job will be protected if you meet FMLA requirements.

What to do when you are away from work?

Although you’re under no obligation to talk to anyone about your recovery journey, it may be helpful to enlist the caring encourage ment of a few trusted colleagues when you go back to work. Turning to these individuals to help you resume the pace of your duties and be available when you feel stressed or overwhelmed can make a big difference in your work/life balance.

What is a right to work agreement?

The right-to-work agreement establishes accountability and clear communication.

Can you return to work after substance abuse?

Returning to work after substance abuse treatment has a number of implications. On one hand, being back on the job may be just the right structure someone in recovery needs to stabilize a new way of life.

Can an employer deny employment to an individual with alcoholism?

An employer has the right to “discipline, discharge, or deny employment to an individual with alcoholism whose use of the substance adversely affects job performance or conduct to the extent he or she is not qualified.”. It’s not a violation for an employer to issue drug tests, prohibit the use of illegal drugs or alcohol in the workplace, ...

Do you have to explain where you went to rehab?

Federal and state laws specify that employees aren’t required to explain where they were or why they were gone to managers or co-workers.

Is FMLA a substance abuse leave?

FMLA leave is not for absence due to active substance abuse. It is only for work release due to active treatment authorized by and under the direction of a healthcare provider or services referred by a healthcare provider.

What to expect after rehab?

Life After Rehab: What to Expect in Recovery. There are a lot of misconceptions about rehab that make it hard to get treated for an addiction. If people knew what rehab was really like and what to expect, this would make it a lot easier to get into recovery. Whether you’re thinking about getting help for a drug or alcohol problem ...

How to contact rehab after work?

If you’re hesitant to enter a rehab program, keep in mind that this journey can be taken one step at a time. Call Rehab After Work at (610) 644-6464, or fill out a contact form on our website to take the first step towards recovery.

What does rehab teach you?

Rehab programs also teach you about setting healthy boundaries in your life. Perhaps a dysfunctional family situation, stressful work environment, or other bad influences have contributed to your addiction. In rehab, you’ll be given the tools to set healthy external and internal boundaries. This allows you to avoid triggers for relapse ...

What does it mean to finish rehab?

Completing rehab is a step forward in healing any broken relationships. When you finish a treatment program, it shows your loved ones that you’re committed to living a sober life and abandoning bad habits. They can see that you’re getting yourself to a healthier place, and trust can start to be restored.

Why is recovery important for job?

This translates into better job performance. Even if you lost your job because of an addiction, recovery gives you the chance to make a fresh start. Once you’re in recovery, you can pursue a career that uses your unique gifts and talents.

What to do after rehab?

You can’t maintain sobriety if you’re neglecting your overall well-being. A new routine will need to include time for these activities: Eating balanced, nutritious meals. Exercising regularly.

How to manage addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease. Just as you would continue to see a doctor to manage diabetes or a heart condition, you should keep attending treatment sessions to manage your addiction. This could come in many different forms. You might: Work with a therapist and have weekly counseling sessions. Attend group therapy.

What does Frank admit to his friend after he finishes?

Frank decides to open up about the true reason for his absence. The friend listens empathetically and after Frank has finished, he quietly admits to Frank that he , too, has struggled with substance abuse. But he has never wanted to let his co-workers know. Frank realizes that he made the right choice – in this case – to be open ...

What percentage of employees are in need of substance abuse treatment?

About 10 percent of these employees were considered to have substance abuse or dependence problems. So a lot of employees are technically in need of substance abuse treatment. Unfortunately, statistic show that only about 10 percent of people who could use a drug or alcohol treatment program check themselves into a substance abuse facility.

Did Frank have to extend his absence?

However, Frank decided to openly discuss his plans with his boss, and with the boss’s consent, Frank was able to extend the period which he could be absent without losing his job. Many times, as in Frank’s case, employers value the resources that an employee brings to the company, and they are happy to help an employee who volunteers ...

What to expect after rehab?

Many will feel what they call “the blues” within the first year of recovery. It’s important to remember everyone gets a little depressed sometimes and it’s a perfectly reasonable part of what to expect after rehab. It’s natural.

What is the first mistake you can make after you leave rehab?

The first mistake you can make after exiting rehab is thinking you are fully recovered. Letting your guard down allows your thinking to drift back to old ways of doing things. You begin to justify actions that put your recovery in real danger.

What does it mean to leave rehab?

Leaving rehab means you’re thrust back into the waiting arms of friends and family. These may be the very same people who went through your addiction with you. They may be in recovery themselves.

1. Know That You Are Not Alone

As you plan your return to work, know that all of your colleagues have had personal challenges in their lives. Those challenges may have been different than yours, but you may also be surprised at how many people have experienced addiction or struggled with the addiction of a friend or family member.

2. Know What You Are Going to Say

The uncertainty of all of the questions that people will ask is what may make you want to run away from your previous workplace. What will they say when you walk in the door after rehab? You need to decide what you are going to tell them if they do not already know where you were. You have a few choices.

3. Make New Rules For Yourself

For some people, the workplace can be a trigger for past addictive behaviors. If you have work lunches that involve alcohol, they can be difficult to navigate. If your pattern is to grab a few beers after work with your friends, this can be even harder.

4. Know Your Rights

You need to be prepared to deal with any bumps in the road to workplace reintegration. While you must be fit to return to work, you also have the right to ask for certain accommodations from your employer.

When do you have to take time off from rehab?

Mar 21, 2019. To effectively treat your addiction, you may need to take some time off work. If your employer finds out that you were in rehab, you may be required to sign a Return to Work Agreement before returning to your job. Here’s what you need to understand about these agreements and your rights as an employee.

What is a return to work agreement?

A Return to Work Agreement (RWA) is a written agreement that lays out your employer’s expectations for your conduct, as well as the consequences for violating these terms. This agreement should be taken very seriously, since it can give your employer grounds to fire you if you violate it. The terms of the RWA may vary.

What to do if HR representative is reluctant to let treatment professionals collaborate on the agreement?

If your HR representative is reluctant to let treatment professionals collaborate on the agreement, be sure to advocate for yourself. Substance use disorder is a complex disease. A trained healthcare professional will understand the recovery journey better than an employer unexperienced with the disease.

What should I know before signing an RWA?

Before signing an RWA, you should understand what it says, what is expected of you, and under what conditions you can be terminated. It is best to consult with a lawyer before signing anything, and get answers to any questions you have. The information presented here is not legal advice.

What to do before a loved one leaves rehab?

Before your loved one leaves rehab, he will sit down with counselors and develop a detailed aftercare plan. This will make his transition back into the “real” world much easier.

How to avoid making your own recovery plan?

Avoid Making Your Own Recovery Plan This is especially important if your addicted loved one is a teenager or still living at home. Make sure the plan has doable, realistic goals and consequences if he fails to meet those goals. Bring up the Past It’s a given that your loved one hurt you with his drug use.

What to do if your loved one relapses?

Be Afraid of Sparking a Relapse Despite the myths, nothing you do or say you can cause him to relapse; you simply don’t have that much power. If your loved one relapses, it’s not your fault. You didn’t force him to do anything. Be honest about your feelings, without the fear of the consequences.

Your Rights Under FMLA

Addiction as A Disability

The Right-To-Work Agreement

• In many circumstances, you should work with the company’s HR department to develop a right-to-work agreement upon your return. This is a recommendation by the DOL. Workforce magazine provides these guidelines, which include: 1. You, HR, and the rehab facility should design the agreement together to answer key questions about continuance of care, te...

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Seeking Supportive Colleagues and Company Resources

How Continuing Care Can Help