Conducting a needs assessment helps you learn what types of substance misuse problems your organization is facing and discover ways to overcome them. Each workplace has its own challenges related to health and wellness. 

 

 According to SAMHSA, when addressing your workplace needs you should consider asking these questions:

• Is your organization experiencing a high rate of absenteeism and tardiness?

• Is your organization large and employing individuals in safety- and security-sensitive industries?

• What are the gaps in your policies and procedures that would prevent an employee from accessing the help they need?

• Does your organization conduct federally funded projects?

• Is your organization in the transportation sector, with mandated drug-testing requirements under regulations from the Department of Transportation?

• Does your organization have a high prevalence of substance use problems?

• Does your organization employ a population of workers for whom prevention education is critical?

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A recovery responsive workplace policy and program are required for organizations with federally funded projects. At a minimum, a written policy, supervisor training, and employee education must be in place. If your organization is in a sector with mandated drug-testing requirements, such as in safety- and security sensitive industries your policy and program must follow the requirements for testing.

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The Assessment Process

SAMHSA also recommends when doing a needs assessment, you should involve all major segments of your workforce. No one person will understand what is happening throughout the workplace unless your organization is very small. You'll want to make sure the members of the recovery responsive workplace team are representative of all of your employees to reflect their racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity.

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Employees will be more likely to cooperate in the new policy and programs if they are brought into the process early. Many successful workplaces have found that cooperation, collaboration, and shared responsibility are the cornerstones of a successful recovery responsive workplace policy and program.