What to Know about Addiction and Your Job
If you have lost your job due to addiction to drugs or alcohol, there is something you should know. Missing shifts, poor performance, or several other substance use disorder behaviours can affect your job. These addictive behaviours creep into all areas of our lives. Jobs are a significant part of your day. We can try to keep these secrets, but eventually our world comes crashing down. There are things you can do if you have lost your job to addiction.
What to do when you lose your job due to addiction
First, you must not deny the actual problem to your employer. A substance use disorder is a recognized illness. Therefore, if you come clean about having an addiction disorder, there are labour standards and human rights protections to assist you in getting your job back. Many people have just accepted their termination. Make sure you are making the right decisions. Connect with people who can help if you have lost your job due to addiction.
Nurse Loses her Job due to Addiction
One case example is a nurse who was terminated for stealing medications from the hospital where she worked. This case went to arbitration, and the arbitrator reinstated the nurse’s employment. The arbitrator stated that the nurse’s stealing medications was a “manifestation” of her addiction disorder. Therefore, there are no grounds for termination. This example clarifies that some behavioural manifestations of a substance use disorder are not grounds for dismissal.
What to do to keep your Job before Addiction Destroys it
As long as the individual has admitted they have this condition and are willing to seek treatment. Suppose you deny the existence of an alcohol or drug problem. In that case, the employer is legally within their rights to terminate your employment. Just like other situations, when addiction is causing problems in life areas, admitting there is a problem is the first move towards a solution, and the second is to seek help.