"At least 30 states are reporting spikes in fatal opioid overdoses and ongoing concern about mental illness or substance use disorders, all in connection with COVID-19.[i] To help employers address these interconnected issues, the National Safety Council (NSC) is calling on employers to prioritize employee stress, emotional and mental health both now and as they return employees to traditional work environments.
Additionally, NSC warns employers that they must prepare for an increase in substance misuse – one that could be a serious threat to worker safety, and cost tens of thousands in productivity losses, absenteeism and presenteeism, and worker’s compensation claims if employees do not plan ahead.
The Council is sounding the alarm during National Safety Month, observed each June to raise awareness about the leading causes of preventable death and injury..."
Article shared from: https://fsmmag.com/Articles/2020/06/Daily-articles/Employers-Must-Brace-for-Increased-Employee-Substance-Misuse-Due-to-Pandemics-Impact.html
More information: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-06/issue-brief-increases-in-opioid-related-overdose.pdf