Many employees avoid seeking treatment for drug or alcohol addiction because they are afraid of losing their jobs or that they will be subject to other adverse employment actions. However, it is important to understand that your choice to get help is protected by various laws and acts that provide a measure of job security for those who decide to undergo drug or alcohol addiction treatment.
For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act Protects employees in addiction recovery from being discriminated against in the workplace. This means that your employer cannot terminate your job or subject you to retaliation for seeking the treatment you need.
For employees who qualify, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows an employee to take 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave for medical reasons such as treatment at a rehab center for addiction recovery. Under FMLA, the employee must be restored to the same job or to an equivalent job.
Addiction often affects work performance. Someone silently suffering from drug or alcohol addiction may accumulated absences, fall behind on responsibilities, or have trouble focusing in general. Taking a proactive approach to addiction recovery may offer job protection under the law. If you have been wrongfully terminated or suffered retaliation on the job after seeking drug or alcohol treatment, contact the Davenport wrongful termination law offices of McDonald, Woodward & Carlson PC for help today at 563-355-6478.