Workplace policies support safety and wellbeing, assure equitable accommodations for all workers, and establish a clear plan for how your organization will address issues when they arise. A well-written policy reduces ambiguity, provides managers with clear procedures and gives employees confidence that their needs will be addressed fairly.
Rolling out new policies, however, can be met with a variety of responses. Some employees may welcome the change as a sign of progress, while others may feel uncertain or resistant to shifting practices. Anticipating these reactions and planning for a thoughtful rollout is key to success. Policies should be introduced as part of a broader culture of safety and respect, not simply as compliance documents. Building trust, engaging stakeholders and communicating openly about why the policy matters are all critical steps for ensuring policies are embraced and effective.
● Internal buy-in: Work with leadership, cross-organizational representatives, union leaders, subject matter experts, HR staff, EHS staff and others
● Develop and implement a plan for changing, updating and/or adding your new policy
º Communicate the need for the policy change or the new policy across your organization
º Provide opportunities to answer questions or get feedback
º Check in with workers about how the policy change is going for them
● Revise the policy as necessary to meet your organization’s needs
● Maintain the policy alongside your organization’s other policies
● Review policies regularly to assure they meet the evolving needs of your organization
● Work with legal counsel to ensure all policies are equitable and abide by local, state and federal laws
This page provides sample policies, templates and practical resources you can use to build or update workplace policies across multiple areas including substance use and recovery, flexibility and mental health. Employers can explore, adapt and integrate these materials to fit their organizational needs and strengthen a culture of safety and wellbeing.
Fair or second chance policies or agreements provide workers the opportunity to be hired, maintain employment or return to employment after testing positive for drugs or alcohol, self-disclosing the need for treatment or being recommended for treatment following evaluation by a qualified specialist. Explore the below policy samples and resources to create or implement your own policy.
● Hamilton County Health Department sample policy and agreement
● Appendix 7 from the Recovery Ready Toolkit
● Hamilton County Health Department return to work sample agreement
● Workflow diagram from Recovery Ready Toolkit
Explore More About Fair Chance and the Workplace
● Business Case for Fair Chance Employment
● Second Chance Business Coalition
Use this template to help create your policy.
“When asked to select from a list of a dozen possible supports they would like to see employers offer, flexible work hours was the most commonly chosen support (41%), followed by a workplace culture that respects time off (34%), the ability to work remotely (33%) and a four-day work week (31%).”
— American Psychological Association Survey
Flexible work policies or agreements provide the best possible work schedule to meet worker and workplace needs. This may include flexible paid time off, flex time, alternative scheduling, compressed scheduling, hybrid work options, remote work options, job sharing, split shift and more.
● Flexible Work Template
● Examples of Flexible Work Arrangements
● Flextime Policy Sample
● Flexible Work Schedule Policy
Explore More About Job Flexibility and Why it Matters
● MHA
● 5 Ways Leaders Can Support Remote Work
● The Future of Flexibility at Work
Use this template to help create your policy.
NSC encourages every workplace to supply naloxone (Narcan) to mitigate the risk of opioid overdose. If choosing to supply naloxone, employers need to have a related policy. While planning for a new policy, make sure to conduct a risk assessment and review legal considerations related to naloxone adoption. Please reference this state-by-state report and the accompanying one-pager to determine how to best prepare your workplace.
For more information on OSHA reporting and recordability requirements related to overdose, review this fact sheet.
Your workplace opioid overdose policies and programs may not all look the same, but they should all include some key components, including the policy's purpose. If you already have an emergency preparedness or first aid policy, you could add opioid overdose preparedness to it.
To implement an opioid overdose response plan in your workplace, download the Respond Ready implementation guide.
Learn more about Respond Ready.
If you’re just beginning the process of starting an opioid overdose response program in your workplace, use this buy-in memo template to solicit internal interest and gain traction.
Templates to Help You Create Your Policy
The ability to test for underlying causes of impairment or identify whether a person is impaired is a controversial topic. Some experts advocate for eliminating drug testing, others advocate for assuring drug testing is equitable, while others focus on assuring drug testing policies are developed through the lens of recovery supportive workplaces. Some state and federal laws require drug testing or drug free workplace policies. We will provide additional resources and policies related to drug testing soon.
Template to Help You Create Your Policy
Mental health policies provide workers with clear rights, resources, and procedures to request support, accommodations, or leave related to mental health conditions. These policies affirm an employer’s commitment to psychological safety and outline practical steps for ensuring workers can maintain productivity and wellbeing while receiving appropriate care. Strong mental health policies reduce stigma, ensure compliance with disability laws, and promote retention by supporting employees before crises escalate.
Key elements often include:
NSC Resources to Support Mental Health Policy Development
Explore More About Mental Health Policies
Templates to Help You Create Your Policy
The links provided throughout the Hub are for informational purposes and to supplement the information we have provided. Links not affiliated with NSC do not constitute an endorsement or an approval of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. NSC bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
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