Human resource professionals say substance misuse by employees worsened due to the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, though employees were better able to hide addictions when working in hybrid and remote settings.
Lisa Bertola, a Boston-based senior health consultant at Segal, an HR and employee benefits consultancy, said employee substance use, misuse and abuse has risen sharply over the past two years.
“Recovery is a theme employers should embrace—everyone stumbles in life and health,” Bertola said. “We are at an important historical juncture that requires leadership to demonstrate courage and act fairly.”