Considering starting addiction treatment, but worried about falling behind at work or in school? Your day-to-day responsibilities don’t have to be a barrier to getting the help you need. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as well as RCA’s WorkFlex program, makes it possible to seek treatment without sacrificing your career or education.
Entering Treatment While Employed: What Is FMLA?
FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for medical reasons, including addiction treatment. Under FMLA, your job is secured while you take the necessary time to focus on your health. This can be a valuable resource for those considering entering treatment while employed, as it provides reassurance that you won’t lose your position while receiving the help you need. For more details on FMLA, check out the U.S. Department of Labor’s FMLA page.
With FMLA, you don’t have to disclose the specific nature of your treatment to your employer. While you do need to provide a medical certification, the details remain confidential. FMLA gives you the time and space to make recovery a priority without fear of professional consequences.
Balancing Work and Addiction Treatment: RCA’s WorkFlex Program
Recovery Centers of America offers the WorkFlex program, a unique service that allows you to continue working or managing school responsibilities while undergoing inpatient treatment. WorkFlex provides a structured schedule that may accommodate up to three hours a day dedicated to work or school tasks (dependent on the facility), all within the safe and supportive environment.
WorkFlex is designed to help those balancing work and addiction treatment maintain a sense of normalcy. Participants are allowed to bring laptops and other work-related devices and access the center’s WiFi during set hours strictly for work or study. By participating in WorkFlex, you can continue fulfilling important obligations without sacrificing the treatment experience necessary for recovery.
How WorkFlex Works
The WorkFlex program offers the following features (facility dependent):
- Dedicated work hours – You will have up to three hours a day, five to seven days a week, to focus on work or school tasks. This provides the opportunity to maintain responsibilities while prioritizing your health.
- Confidential workspace – A private area is available for WorkFlex participants so you can focus on your professional or academic responsibilities without distractions.
- Clear boundaries – While participating in WorkFlex, you’re expected to adhere strictly to work-related activities. Social media, entertainment sites, and personal texting are restricted to keep your focus on recovery.
One of the key elements of WorkFlex is the emphasis on keeping recovery as your main priority. If at any point your work obligations begin to interfere with your treatment, you will have the option to pause or discontinue work to fully focus on recovery.
Managing School and Work During Recovery
Combining treatment with work or school requires balance, and both FMLA and WorkFlex provide the structure needed to help manage this balance. The flexibility of WorkFlex allows you to keep up with professional or academic responsibilities while dedicating the majority of your energy to treatment.
By leveraging WorkFlex, you can focus on healing while maintaining your career or education. Here’s how you can make it work:
Communicate with Your Employer or School
It’s important to have clear communication about what you need. With FMLA, you may not need to disclose the specifics of your treatment, but having the necessary documentation and communicating leave plans is crucial.
Set Boundaries
Use the allotted work hours effectively but recognize when work or school starts affecting your recovery. WorkFlex is meant to allow you to balance—not overwhelm—your responsibilities.
Take Advantage of Support Services
Our team is dedicated to supporting you, whether it involves helping with FMLA forms, setting up short-term disability, or ensuring that WorkFlex works in your favor.
Balancing Work, School, and Recovery at RCA
Finding a balance between managing school and work and pursuing treatment is achievable with the right tools and support. FMLA can provide peace of mind, knowing your job is protected while you focus on your health, while our WorkFlex program offers flexibility, allowing you to fulfill important responsibilities while in treatment. You can’t be discriminated against for seeking treatment for a substance use disorder. Together, these resources provide a way to receive the care you need without sacrificing your professional or educational goals.
If you or a loved one is considering entering treatment while employed or in school, Recovery Centers of America is here to help. Our programs are designed to provide flexibility while making recovery the top priority. Contact us today at 833.926.5486 or reach out online to learn more about how WorkFlex and our other services can help you achieve sobriety without compromising your goals.
