Toms River, New Jersey — An employment consultant has left a five-star Google review commending Union First for its “great service” in protecting employees.
Union First is an employee-assistance program for workers who need someone to stand up for them when they are struggling with issues that include substance use disorders. The program provides job protection, behavioral health and advocacy services for union members, public employees and their families. It follows a simple philosophy: that the employee/client’s job, health and family all come first.
Workers with substance abuse issues are protected by law from being disciplined or fired from their jobs if they seek help for a substance use disorder. But many workers are unaware of this protection, and even if they do not fear job loss, they worry about suffering from the stigma of addiction. As a result, employees may be reluctant to seek help even when they want to.
Union First helps members receive the treatment they need for substance use and behavioral disorders without fear of reprisal from their employers. Its comprehensive services include placement in the most appropriate treatment program – alcohol or drug addiction treatment, mental health counseling or a combination of both. Its specialists can place members in programs offering the full range of treatment: medical detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab and dual diagnosis treatment to heal the root causes of addiction.
Employee assistance programs like Union First help members navigate the often confusing maze of state and federal labor laws and advocate on workers’ behalf to make sure their employer fully obeys the law. They work with union members across the country, including placement in rehab programs in Florida. But job protection is just the beginning; getting workers into the right treatment program is critical to overcoming addiction or behavioral disorders.
Union First’s specialists understand that each person experiences addiction in their own unique way and treatment must also be personalized. For instance, inpatient treatment is often the most effective choice, but it’s not the right fit for everyone. Outpatient care is more appropriate for people who cannot leave their homes or families for an extended period. Union First case managers thoroughly assess each member’s situation so they can recommend the right mental health or substance abuse recovery center.
Just finding the right treatment program can be an ordeal; Union First is there to handle all aspects of placement – from finding the most appropriate therapeutic program to confirming health insurance coverage. Union First uses its network of licensed treatment providers, including detox, residential and intensive outpatient programs, to assess each case and make a placement recommendation based on individual needs.
Once a union member has been placed into a facility, Union First notifies their employer, which is critical to providing job protection during treatment.
Union First also maintains a private telehealth network of over 40 providers, which enables its team to quickly schedule appointments with the right counselor for their needs.
Finally, Union First provides vital advocacy services for its members. For example, substance abuse disorder is one of several mental health conditions protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Union First makes sure that its members’ ADA-covered rights are protected.
The Union First team manages each case individually, with compassion, professionalism, and confidentiality. From inpatient to intensive outpatient to aftercare, they guide clients through the entire process, ensuring they have everything needed to get healthy and return to work.
Union members who want help overcoming a substance abuse disorder without risking their employment can visit Union First or call 855-215-2023. Specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.