Learn how to handle the complex issues that can arise when dealing with addictions in the workplace.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is complicated and filled with traps for unwary employers. Employers focused on efficiency or reduction of disruptions may seek to root out someone they think is using drugs. But can you do that? What if you are wrong? You could end up paying a significant legal judgment for disability discrimination. This topic will help avoid that result by examining when the ADA is implicated by individuals presenting addictions or other problematic behaviors as well as what actions you can take – and what actions you must take – when you believe an individual is illegally using drugs or using alcohol improperly to comply with the law and protect your business.

Learning Objectives

  • You will be able to recognize the rights and obligations employers have in dealing with employee whose addictions or personal habits impact the workplace.
  • You will be able to review the behavior of your employees in a legal, defensible manner.
  • You will be able to identify problematic workplace behaviors and determine the best method for protecting your business.
  • You will be able to explain how a last chance agreement can protect your business.

Agenda

Why Do Addictions and Personal Habits Implicate the Americans With Disabilities Act?
  • Status as Addict Versus Conduct of Addiction
  • How Do Employers Deal With Illegal Users of Drugs? What About Users of Illegal Drugs?
  • Are Users of Alcohol or Legal Users of Legal Drugs Different?

What Can You Do When You Suspect a Problem?
  • Accommodation of Known Disabilities
  • When Do You Have a Duty to Inquire
  • Disability Versus Conduct

Last Chance Agreements
  • Why to Use Last Chance Agreements
  • How to Draft Effective Last Chance Agreements
  • Enforcement of Last Chance Agreements

Testing Employees With the Status of Addict
  • How Can Employers Be Assured That Employees Are Not Engaging in Illegal Use of Drugs or Alcohol
  • Employers Subject to Department of Transportation Regulations
  • When Can Employers Ban Employees With a History of Illegal Use of Drugs

Habits Not Expressly Covered by the ADA
  • When Can Employers Ban or Punish Smokers?
  • Is Overeating or Excess Weight Relevant to Employment Decisions?

Who should attend?

This live webinar is designed for human resource managers, benefit and payroll professionals, business owners and managers, personnel managers, CFOs, and attorneys.



Your Instructor

D. Wes Sullenger
  • Managing member of Sullenger Law Office, PLLC
  • Represents both employers and employees in all manner of employment disputes involving illegal discrimination, harassment, wage and hour violations, non-competition agreements, wrongful termination, retaliation, workplace policies and handbooks, contract matters, and civil rights violations throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois, where he is licensed
  • He began his career in Nashville, Tennessee where he represented employers of all sizes in employment and commercial litigation
  • In 2005, he left private practice to spend some time in academia, publishing several articles in the area of First Amendment law and employment law but, ultimately, in 2007, he opened the Sullenger Law Office, PLLC in his hometown of Paducah, Kentucky
  • Regularly presents seminars relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, illegal discrimination, and valuation and mediation of employment matters
  • Has published several articles relating to his practice including "Silencing the Blogosphere: A First Amendment Caution to Legislators Considering Using Internet Blogs to Communicate Directly With Constituents," 14 Professional Journal 20 (Fall 2007) (American Society of Legislative Clerks & Secretaries – National Conference of State Legislatures); "The Pitfalls of Prescription Drugs: What To Do When You Think An Employee Is Addicted," An Address to the Four Rivers Society for Human Resource Management (Paducah, KY Sept. 25, 2007), http://www.sullengerfirm.com/articles/PrescriptionDrugs.pdf; "Silencing the Blogosphere: A First Amendment Caution to Legislators Considering Using Internet Blogs to Communicate Directly With Constituents," Richmond Journal of Law and Technology, 13 Rich. J.L. & Tech. 15 (2007) http://law.richmond.edu/jolt/v13i4/article15.pdf; "Burning the Flag: A Conservative Defense of Radical Speech and Why It Matters Now," University of Louisville Brandeis Law Journal, 43 Brandeis L.J. 597 (Summer 2005); "Only We Can Save You: Why and When Non-Consumer Businesses Have Standing to Sue Business Competitors Under The Tennessee Consumer Protection Act," University of Memphis Law Review, 35 U. Mem. L. Rev. 485 (Spring 2005) and "Unbiased Investigations Essential to Alleged Employee Wrongdoing," Business Insider (Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry) (November 2004) Co-author with R. Eddie Wayland, Esq.
  • J.D. degree, with high honors, Chicago-Kent College of Law; B.A. degree in history, summa cum laude, University of Louisville