Join Wellness Works LLC owner Michelle Mortimer at Vermont Department of Health’s 2019 WORKSITE WELLNESS CONFERENCE. She will be co-presenting TotalHealth: Creating a resilient workplace through recovery-supportive practices.
Session Description: More than 21 million Americans are struggling with addiction, and 70% of Vermonters with a substance use disorder (SUD) are employed, which has a tremendous impact on our society – and our Vermont workplaces. With so many in recovery, it remains in the best interest of employers to create a resilient and healthy workforce. But recovery-friendly culture isn’t just good for the health of employees overcoming substance use or with an undiagnosed SUD; may of the same components that support recovery also support resiliency and a healthy lifestyle for everyone. The entire spectrum of wellness and total worker health™ should be based in prevention with wraparound services for all employees. Early intervention counseling and resources, help with family and work/life issues, and critical assessments and referrals to treatment promote a safe and healthy environment for all Vermont workers, including those in active recovery and those at risk for developing a substance use disorder. Being recovery-supportive is synonymous with drug-free. There’s no lowering of safety standards or tolerating drug use in the workplace, which is a common misconception of the term. Rather, we coach managers and wellness leaders on how to approach and connect with the person involved and channel them to appropriate resources and treatment.
