Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) held a press conference today to bring attention to his legislation that would establish the Recovery Ready Workplace Program (A.9063-A). The initiative would provide employers with the resources, tools and skills needed to support employees struggling with opioid use disorder and substance use disorder.

The Recovery Ready Workplace Program would collaborate with government officials, workers, labor unions and communities to provide outreach, training, and certification to employers. This initiative seeks to prevent new instances of misuse and addiction from starting, give struggling employees a route to treatment and recovery, and provide recovering employees with meaningful, healthy work.

“We are in a critical time when individuals dealing with opioid and substance use disorders need our help,” said Steck. “As chair of the Assembly’s Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee, I know the vital need for more resources and programs to assist these individuals in their recovery process. The Recovery Ready Workplace Program provides employers with everything they need to be that helping hand for those struggling with substance use disorders, guiding them through their challenging times. This program is a step in the right direction to tackle this crisis and can lead to a future where individuals will look back and see their struggle with this disorder as another obstacle they overcame.”

Senator Fernandez who is the sponsor of S.8381 said, “The Recovery Ready Workplace Act fosters supportive environments for recovery, preventing addiction and providing vital pathways to treatment and support for struggling workers. By reshaping workplaces to be places of healing, growth, and opportunity, we're not just offering jobs; we're offering lifelines. Stable employment is essential for long-term recovery, providing individuals with purpose, routine, and a sense of accomplishment, ensuring they have the support and stability they need to thrive.”

“Employment gives people stability, a purpose, a schedule, and a means to support themselves and their families. Hiring and retaining workers in recovery is good for the state’s economy, good for businesses, and critical to helping communities overcome the devastating impact of the opioid and substance use disorder crises,” said Jonathan Rosen, MS CIH FAIHA, PARSE, National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety & Health Training.

Michael Carpenter, President and CEO of The Northeast Group and Co-founder and President of the MHAB Life Skills Campus was honored as the North Country Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Businessperson of the Year. He added, “As someone who has been in recovery for more than 34 years after struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, I didn’t think I’d be alive at 60 years old, much less getting awards. Our business approach includes giving people a chance, then another chance and another. We have had many successes, and it has been great for our business and the community. Some of our top employees had the same kinds of problems that I had and are now managers in our company or have moved on to management positions in other companies in our area.”

“With the pandemic we have seen a dramatic increase in workplace stress, mental health, and related substance use problems. This is especially impacting nursing homes and healthcare settings where essential workers are employed. Establishing recovery ready workplaces will provide compassionate support to the caregivers and help maintain the workforce. Our members are taking care of our families, and we need to take care of them,” said Sara Couch, Regional Healthcare Advocate, Healthcare Education Project of New York, 1199 SEIU / Greater New York Hospital Association.

“Over 70% of those in treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD) are employed. A recovery- ready workplace is a practical and impactful approach to preventing SUD, a recurrence of a SUD, and overall promotes well-being. A recovery-ready workplace is one that recognizes the interconnectedness of individual well-being, community support, and employment. It is a supportive environment for all employees,” said Carrie Dunn-Herrera Assistant Director of Health Promotion at Healthy Capital District.

“The New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals (NYATEP) is proud to support this legislation and is grateful to Assemblymember Steck for his leadership. As we all know, employment gives people in recovery purpose and routine, as well as the ability to be self-sufficient and to grow. NYATEP believes that all workers should have recovery ready workplaces and allow for the fostering of a safe and knowledgeable workplace for all. All New Yorkers, employers, and employees will benefit from this legislation and NYATEP fully supports its passage,” said Therese Daly the Interim Executive Director, New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals.

"Nurses are experiencing historically high levels of work-related stress, stress related illness, and work-related injury increasing the already high occupational risk for substance use disorder. An estimated 15-20 % of nurses experience difficulty with alcohol and/or other substances such as opiates, benzodiazepines, or stimulants but fear and shame delay or prevent help. At Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN), we provide assistance and support to nurses regarding treatment and recovery while dually protecting public safety. We advocate for increased pathways to recovery in the healthcare workplace. Recovery Ready Workplace frameworks support these efforts to grow workplace cultures that promote compassion, enhance recovery capital, and support opportunities for improving prevention, earlier identification, and earlier intervention strategies,” said Deborah Koivula, RN, BSN, CARN Outreach Coordinator for SPAN.