Workers Don't Seek Treatment for Fear of Losing JobsNovember 6, 2002
Research Summary
A new survey shows that employees don't seek alcohol and other drug treatment when they need it because they are afraid they're going to lose their jobs, according to the Hazelden Foundation.According to Hazelden's "Workplace Recovery Benefits Survey," more than one in five insured employees believe that if they seek coverage for addiction treatment, they will face negative consequences at work. Fears range from being fired to losing a license or failing to get a promotion.
"Alcoholism and other drug addictions are chronic, potentially fatal diseases if not treated," said William Moyers, vice president of external affairs for Hazelden. "Millions of employees desperately need substance-abuse services but don't seek them because they're afraid of negative on-the-job consequences. It's critical for managers to tell workers, 'You have nothing to fear. We'd rather have you use our health insurance coverage for substance-abuse services than jeopardize job performance or safety.'"
Moyers added that employers must communicate and demonstrate federal laws that protect the identity of employees who access insurance benefits for any medical service, including treatment services.
The Hazelden Foundation identified three ways in which employers can remove workers' apprehension about accessing health insurance for addiction treatment: clearly describing available insurance benefits for treatment services during every new employee orientation and emphasizing employees' right to confidentiality; reiterating the available coverage on a annual basis; and educating employees on how to use the company's insurance system for treatment services.
"Knowledge is power," said Moyers. "The more employees know about their health insurance and how they'll get the most benefit from it, the more likely they are to be comfortable accessing the system."
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