The Opioid Crisis in the Workplace: The Proactive Role Employers Can Take

Did you know that two-thirds of Americans who reported misusing Rx medications were on their company’s payroll at the time? American employers lose $80 Billion annually in productivity, absenteeism, accidents, and healthcare costs due to drug abuse and addiction. Ohio currently leads the opioid epidemic, with more overdose deaths than any other state, and it’s having a significant impact on our workforce. In this seminar, experts from University Hospitals, Working Partners®, the Lake County ADAMHS Board, Dworken and Bernstein, Co., L.P.A., Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, and the Geauga United Way will address the current opioid epidemic and what employers can do to protect their businesses and assist troubled employees. This event will be moderated by Randi M. Ostry, Esq., Director of Statewide Substance Use Education and Business Initiatives at Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's Office. Topics to be covered include: 1. What are opioids, why they are being abused and how someone becomes addicted. 2. What is the status of the Opioid Epidemic both locally and nationally and its impact on our workforce. 3. How to Identify people who may be at risk for addiction by understanding warning signs. 4. Increasing communication and training for managers and employees to raise awareness of the issue. 5. Conditions protected under the ADA, approaching employees with a possible addiction, legal implications associated with employees who may be under the influence of opioids and other substances, avoiding lawsuits and other legal concerns. 6. Employee assistance programs, drug testing programs, training sessions for supervisors/employees, second chance programs and other resources for help and treatment. 7. How to decrease accidents, workers' compensation claims and receive insurance discounts. Schedule at a Glance: 8:30a.m. to 9a.m….Registration and Continental Breakfast. 9a.m. to 11a.m…….Seminar Instructed by Experts from Various Organizations. 11a.m. to Noon…….Panel Discussion, Q and A and Networking. Speakers and Panelists: • Dr. Randy Jernejcic, Chief Medical Officer at Ahuja Medical Center and leads the UH Steering Committee on Opioid Safety • Karen Pierce, Managing Director of Policy Development & Training at Working Partners® • Kim Fraser, Executive Director of Lake County ADAMHS Board • Richard N. Selby II, Partner and Attorney at Law managing the Commercial Litigation Department at Dworken and Bernstein, Co., L.P.A. • Kimm Leininger, Executive Director of Geauga United Way • John Wilton, Regional Business Consultant at Ohio BWC *Organized by the Ohio SBDC at Lakeland Community College. Continental breakfast included. **Registration ends on May 22, 2018 by 4pm.

Fee: No Cost