Opportunities for employers to address the opioid epidemic: results from a national survey.

Abstract

Introduction: Employers play a critical role in addressing the opioid crisis in the United States, so the federal government created the Recovery-Ready Workplace (RRW) framework, which suggests employer action in 4 areas: prevention and risk reduction, education, employment, and treatment.

Methods: This study examines employees' views of RRW-related actions taken by their employers to address opioid misuse, using a national survey of 1010 U.S. employees.

Results: Results showed significant shortfalls across RRW areas. Only 19% of employees said Narcan was available at work, and only 27% said their employer offered opioid prevention services. Moreover, 79% believed that most coworkers would not be very comfortable receiving opioid abuse prevention information from their employer. Majorities supported retaining co-workers in opioid treatment when they had strong performance records (72%), were monitored (64%), or never misused opioids during work (61%). However, one-third (33%) believed that if employees with good records sought treatment, their employer would be more likely to look for ways to fire rather than support the employee.

Conclusion: More employer action is needed, with consideration for expanding Narcan availability, increasing employee access to prevention programs, enhancing employment practices to keep people in the workforce, and cultural shifts to reduce stigma.