HR & People Operations

As the U.S. labor market nears its pre-pandemic levels, researchers are examining a potential connection between elevated substance use and labor force participation. In a recently released working paper, the National Bureau of Economic Research posed a question: Could increased substance use during the pandemic be a factor contributing to the labor shortage? They found that a rise in substance use during the pandemic could account for between 9% to 26% of the decline in prime age (people ages 25 to 54) labor force participation from February 2020 to June 2021. It is abundantly clear: it’s never been more important for workers to feel supported in their struggle with substance use, and on their journey to achieve lasting results. With employers uniquely poised to aid workers in their recovery, here are four things organizations need to know about substance abuse: It’s not uncommon. The pandemic hit right as the U.S. was entrenched battling another health crisis: the opioid epidemic. It’s a crisis further exacerbated in the last two years by severe disruptions that rippled through nearly every aspect of day-to-day life. Early on, disruptions to alcoholics anonymous and addiction treatment programs led to the pandemic being labeled a “national relapse trigger.” The characterization has held. Since then, the number of drug overdose deaths has dramatically risen to 100,306 (or by some 28.5%) over the 12-month period ending in April 2021, recent federal health statistics show. Nearly the same number of Americans died from alcohol-related causes, including liver disease and accidents,

It’s important for employees to know that they are not alone. Time to read: 3 minutes By Clark Lagemann One in seven Americans will face a substance use disorder in their lifetime. And according to a recent survey, the pandemic has exacerbated substance use for employees. Among workers struggling with addiction or substance abuse issues, more than one-third say it has affected their work more since the pandemic began. So what can employers do to help if they don’t know their employee is struggling? Synopsis: Among workers struggling with addiction or substance abuse issues, more than one-third say it has affected their work more since the pandemic began. Many employees are afraid to say they need help. Substance use in the workplace results in absenteeism, lost productivity, and additional healthcare expenses. Personal costs to individual employees include missed work resulting in lost wages among all the other health and lifestyle side effects of substance use. Click here to read the full article.   For contributed media inquiries, contact: Kristin Hege kristin@conveycommsagency.com 480-540-6496

Our new reality has created new barriers to better health for employees who once thrived in onsite wellness programs. Time to read: 3 minutes By Clark Lagemann The acceleration of remote-hybrid work has created new barriers to health for employees who thrived with traditional, onsite wellness programs. As impediments to better health increase, unhealthy lifestyles such as inactivity, poor diet, stress, inadequate sleep, addictions, and associated health risks such as depression, may be exacerbated. How can benefits brokers and managers help companies and individuals navigate wellness and behavior change options in a way that promotes lasting change? Synopsis: Why brokers should offer digital coaching to address mounting health and wellness issues. How cognitive behavioral training can increase engagement and retention in programs to improve mental health. The importance of offering behavior change programs to support mental health initiatives. The ROI of behavior change programs for both the employee- and employer-paid programs as well as how programs contribute to the reduction of health spend. Click here to read the full article.   For contributed media inquiries, contact: Kristin Hege kristin@conveycommsagency.com 480-540-6496

Employees dealing with the relentless stress of the pandemic are increasingly turning to drugs and alcohol to take the edge off. Time to read: 3 minutes By Paola Peralta Synopsis: Even in the face of office re-openings and the imminent return of the world as we once knew it, the uptick in employees grappling with substance use isn’t likely to subside. By June of last year, 13% of Americans reported starting or increasing their substance use as a way to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19, according to the CDC. At-risk employees are spelling trouble for workplace productivity. “When there’s a stigma it means you probably don’t want to get help.” Avidon Health released LivingClear to address the need for new, discreet solutions for SUD. Click here to read the full article.   For contributed media inquiries, contact: Kristin Hege kristin@conveycommsagency.com 480-540-6496