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While addiction is fairly common in the United States, not everyone seeks the help they need. According to the American Hospital Association, while 16.5% of the population has a substance use disorder, only 6% of them receive treatment.[1]
One of the biggest barriers to addiction treatment is the fear of losing your job. You might avoid attending rehab because you are worried that your employer will fire you if you ask for a leave of absence. While taking large chunks of time off is not celebrated by bosses, they cannot fire you if you are seeking care for drug and alcohol addiction thanks to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).[2]
If you are thinking of using the FMLA to take time off for addiction treatment, you’re going to have to have a conversation with your boss. You want to be prepared when you speak to your employer about attending rehab. This means you’ll need to have a plan of what you will say, already have treatment lined up, and be willing to have an open and honest conversation to explain why you need the time off.
In this article, you will learn:
- Can you lose your job by attending addiction treatment?
- How does the FMLA protect you?
- How should you approach a conversation with your boss about going to rehab?
Can You Get Fired for Going to Rehab?
If you are avoiding attending addiction treatment out of fear of losing your job, fear no more. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) prevents you from being fired for taking time off of work to attend an addiction treatment program because it considers addiction a serious medical condition. It allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within one year to ensure you get the care you need.
To qualify for the FMLA, you must:[3]
- Have worked for your employer for at least a year
- Have worked at least 1,250 hours for your company within the past year
- Work for an employer that has at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius or for a school or public agency
It is important to note that to use FMLA, you might have to provide your employer with medical information to prove that you need the time off. While the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prevents people from gaining access to your medical information without consent, your medical information is considered an employment record when being used with the FMLA. However, because of HIPAA, your employer must keep your reason for taking leave confidential in the workplace.
How to Tell Your Employer About Rehab
Telling your employer that you need time off to seek treatment can feel intimidating or scary. You could start the conversation through the human resources or HR department or go directly to your boss.
Tips for speaking with your employer about taking time off for rehab include:
Start With Honesty
If you are honest with your boss about your needs and intentions, they will have realistic expectations about how long you’ll be gone and when you can return. You should mention to your boss that you are struggling with a substance use disorder and plan to use FMLA to take time off to get better. It is also a good idea to mention that getting addiction care will improve your job performance in the future.
Have a Plan
Before you begin the conversation, you need to have a plan. You should already be in contact with a treatment center and have a start date for your rehab program. This shows your employer that you are serious about getting the help you need and provides them with a timeline upfront.
Consider Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are work-based intervention programs designed to help employees deal with personal issues that might affect their ability to do their jobs. Many companies have begun implementing these programs because they improve job performance and increase morale among their employees. If your job has an EAP, the program could help facilitate the conversation with your boss about attending drug and alcohol rehab.
Offer Assistance
When you are talking to your employer about taking leave to attend rehab, you should offer your assistance in tying up loose ends before your time off begins. For example, there might be projects that you are involved in that are close to finishing. Make it clear to your boss that you are willing to do whatever it takes to leave them with the least amount of issues possible.
Express Your Commitment
Lastly, you’ll want to express your commitment to the company before the conversation ends. Explain that attending rehab will help you come back refreshed and ready to work. Additionally, addiction treatment can improve your job performance by lessening the stress you are experiencing in your daily life due to addiction.
Letting your boss know that you are looking forward to returning to work will make them more likely to approve of your time off. While the FMLA requires them to let you attend treatment, you still want them to feel positive about allowing you to go.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center
If you or a loved one suffers from addiction treatment, it’s time to seek professional help. At the Mandala Healing Center, we can work with you to ensure your treatment program matches the dates your FMLA is allowing you time off from work.
Why Choose The Mandala Healing Center? Clients are taken on a journey of healing through complete immersion into evidence-based clinical modalities, multifaceted alternative therapies, and expert medical management, allowing them to fully detox and recover from drug and alcohol addictions. Through a program of care designed to encourage change, a foundation is created that allows clients to find their higher purpose and reclaim their lives.
Contact us today for more information on why our drug and alcohol treatment center is one of the best in the area.
References:
- The American Hospital Association: Survey: Most Americans with substance use disorders don’t receive treatment
- Cornell Law School: 29 CFR § 825.119 – Leave for treatment of substance abuse
- The U.S. Department of Labor: Family and Medical Leave Act
