SUPPORT
Addiction is a complex health problem – so it’ s not surprising that employers feel unsure how best to support colleagues experiencing it. One Teesside charity, Recovery Connections, has developed a range of business tools and training programmes to make sure nobody is left to suffer in silence – encouraging employees – and the businesses they work for – to thrive.
Support –“ We have a powerful role to play in creating healthier, more resilient workplaces,” says Recovery Connections CEO Dot Smith.
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And watch your workforce thrive, says Tees charity
The problem It is estimated that alcohol misuse costs UK employers £ 7.3bn per year in lost productivity. More tragically, it also costs lives.
Add to this the non-alcohol related drug issues that are prevalent in the region, and the fact that the North-East has the highest rates of alcohol and drug-related deaths in the UK, and it’ s clear we are dealing with a significant health pandemic that continues to be largely swept under the carpet.
As a local employer, your workforce reflects the local community. And as with any community, your employees will face multiple and complex challenges – including drug and alcohol use.
Left unsupported, these problems can lead to addiction – one of the most isolating of health problems due to the chronic stigma that surrounds it.
There may be any number of reasons that lead to problematic drug and alcohol use and addiction, but one thing is clear – people don’ t choose to become addicted to substances.
Mental health problems, social problems and trauma often lie at the heart of drug and alcohol misuse – but so do employment concerns.
According to the Institute of Alcohol Studies, long working hours, job insecurity, poor supervision and monotonous work are just some of the employment-related issues that can lead to problematic alcohol use in the workplace.
But what if you could help your employees before they hit crisis point? What if you could support them to stay in work?
The solution? Compassionate and transparent policies relating to alcohol and drug use are key to helping people overcome the struggles they might be facing.
Without these, employees may feel unable to open up and address their concerns and remain trapped in the grips of addiction or substance misuse.
But where do you start? Recovery Connections is a charity grounded in lived experience. It supports people across the North-East who are affected by drug and alcohol issues, and most of its team have personal experience of addiction and recovery.
“ As employers, we have a powerful role to play in creating healthier, more resilient workplaces,” said Recovery Connections CEO Dot Smith.
“ Supporting employees through challenges like addiction isn’ t just the right thing to do – it makes business sense.
“ When staff feel safe, supported and understood, they stay in work, thrive in their roles and contribute more meaningfully to the organisation.
“ Compassionate policies and early support aren’ t costs – they’ re investments in people and productivity.”
Recovery Connections’ Employee Support Consultancy Package provides bespoke, professional support for organisations that want to make a positive difference to the lives of employees and the productivity of the business.
Services include:
> Working with businesses to review policies and develop a shared understanding of the issues affecting the workforce and the business.
> Helping businesses recruit and support employees with lived experience to become recovery champions, offering peer support to employees who are struggling.
> Introducing employees who may need support to the local recovery community.
> Helping businesses to develop internal campaigns that increase awareness and understanding of recovery and addiction to encourage employees to seek support when they need it.
> Providing specialist 1-2-1 support to employees who can work with a specialist recovery coach.
Bespoke Training Solutions Recovery Connections can also offer a range of recovery / addiction-focused training sessions. These will be developed in partnership with your organisation to meet the needs of your workforce and your business.
To find out more call 01642 351976 and ask for the employee assistance team or email info @ recoveryconnections. org. uk. For further information visit recoveryconnections. org. uk
The voice of business in the Tees region | 125