How Return to Duty Process Works?
Return to Duty Process:
The process always starts with an assessment. The employee will meet face-to-face with SAP, who will assess the nature and extent of the individual's drug or alcohol problem.
It may be helpful to point out here that SAP is a clinical professional who specializes in addiction diagnosis and treatment. Not only that, but they also have special recognition from the DOT - in addition, they maintain key professional qualifications and receive ongoing education on the latest addiction treatments. These are truly the leaders in addiction care.
During the evaluation period, SAP will recommend some treatment options or educational opportunities for the employee. Employees are then expected to receive these treatments; again, as an employer, you don't have to pay for it. You just need to make sure your employees understand these options.
Once the employee has completed treatment and/or education, he or she will meet again with SAP. SAP will then declare whether the employee is fit to return to work.
Key point: SAP will simply determine if an employee is eligible to return to work. As an employer, it is your decision whether or not you want that employee to return to work.
The Timeline for Return to Duty
Both employees and employers want to know how long the process will take - unfortunately, there are no easy answers here. It really depends on the SAP and they may recommend different treatments to different people depending on the nature and extent of the substance use problem.
A full hospital stay usually takes several months, but it's not necessary for every employee who tests positive for drugs or alcohol - so in the end, it's just that you have to work with the substance abuse clinician you the work with problem solved and.
