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Resources for HR Professionals Supporting Addiction Recovery
Guides, checklists, and templates to help you support clients, employees, and families on the path to recovery.
Why We Built This Hub
At Bridging the Gaps, we know HR professionals play a critical role in supporting employee wellness and addressing workplace challenges, including addiction and mental health. You can explore this page section by section to access guides, tools, and resources, or click the button below to download the full toolkit and have everything in one place.
Our goal is to make BTG not just a treatment provider but a trusted resource hub for HR professionals navigating employee wellness, workplace addiction support, and building a healthier, more resilient workforce.
Your toolkit includes:+ Signs of Substance Use in the Workplace+ When to Refer to Residential Treatment + How to Evaluate a Treatment Program Checklist+ Structured Conversation Template+ How to Manage Workflow During Employee Leave GuidePlus much more
HR Resource Hub: Employee Treatment & Support
Supporting employees through challenges like substance use requires the right tools, policies, and resources. This hub is designed for HR professionals who want to create a safe, recovery-friendly workplace while protecting productivity and compliance. Each section below includes a short overview, with downloadable resources you can put into action immediately.
Workplace Signs of Substance Use
Recognizing the early signs of substance use at work is key to protecting employee wellbeing and workplace safety. This guide highlights behavioral, physical, and performance indicators HR teams can monitor while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Step-by-Step Instructions for HR and Employees
This guide provides HR professionals and employees with clear instructions for navigating referrals, leave, and treatment for substance use concerns, ensuring compliance, support, and smooth transitions.
Guide: When It’s Time to Refer an Employee to Treatment
Use this tool to help determine whether your employee may benefit from a structured, immersive level of care like residential addiction treatment at Bridging the Gaps.
Clinical & Behavioral Indicators
● Employee has made little or no progress in outpatient or IOP care● Employee is unable to maintain sobriety between sessions● History of multiple relapses despite treatment attempts● High risk of overdose or dangerous behaviors● Ongoing substance use despite serious consequences (legal, health, relational)● Unstable or triggering living environment
Mental Health & Co-Occurring Needs
● Co-occurring mental health diagnoses are unmanaged or worsening● Frequent emotional dysregulation (e.g., rage, panic, dissociation)● History of trauma that interferes with recovery● Suicidal ideation, recent attempts, or self-harm● Medication non-compliance or lack of psychiatric support
Support System & Daily Functioning
● Lack of supportive sober network or stable family structure● Difficulty with basic self-care, hygiene, or daily tasks● Struggles to maintain employment or academic responsibilities● Persistent high stress and poor coping strategies● Frequent ER visits, hospitalizations, or crisis interventions
Employee Self-Report & Readiness
● Employee expresses feeling “stuck” or hopeless about change● Employee is open to or requesting a higher level of care● Employee reports significant cravings or use to cope with distress● Employee fears returning to high-risk or triggering environments● Employee is seeking more structure, accountability, or peer support
✅ If You’ve Checked 3 or More…Your employee may benefit from a residential treatment program like Bridging the Gaps. Our trauma-informed, integrative approach supports healing through personalized care, holistic services, and strong community support.
📞 Have questions about a specific case?We’re happy to consult—no obligation. Call us at: 540-535-1111
Guides for Difficult Conversations
Addressing substance use in the workplace requires sensitivity, consistency, and confidence. These guides equip HR leaders with language, strategies, and templates for handling conversations that protect employee dignity while upholding workplace standards.
This PDF provides HR professionals and managers with step-by-step prompts that make approaching sensitive issues less stressful. The scripts guide conversations around performance concerns, substance use, and employee well-being, helping HR and managers address these situations with clarity, compassion, and compliance. It also offers guidance on handling resistance, asking open-ended questions, and providing supportive resources, empowering managers to approach difficult conversations confidently while maintaining a safe and professional workplace.
[Download Guide for Difficult Conversions]
This PDF provides HR professionals and managers with clear guidance on how to approach conversations about substance use in the workplace with compassion and professionalism. It emphasizes strategies to communicate effectively while avoiding stigmatizing language or assumptions. The guide highlights the importance of focusing on observable behaviors and performance, maintaining confidentiality, and offering supportive resources. By following these principles, managers can address concerns early, foster a safe and understanding work environment, and connect employees with the help they need—whether through counseling, EAPs, or residential treatment options.
[Download Do's and Don'ts of Discussing Addiction]
This PDF offers HR professionals and managers practical strategies to stay calm, focused, and productive during tense or emotionally charged conversations with employees. It provides guidance on managing difficult situations related to substance use, behavioral concerns, or workplace conflict, emphasizing techniques that promote understanding and reduce stress for both parties. By following these tips, HR teams can maintain professionalism, foster a safe and supportive workplace, and guide employees toward constructive solutions and available resources, including employee assistance programs (EAPs) and treatment options. This resource is designed to help managers handle sensitive discussions confidently while protecting employee well-being and organizational compliance.
[Download De-escalation Tips]
This PDF helps HR professionals and managers navigate the complex requirements of employee confidentiality in cases of substance use, behavioral concerns, or mental health issues. It provides guidance on maintaining compliance with workplace policies, legal regulations, and privacy standards while fostering trust and open communication with employees. By following these best practices, organizations can protect sensitive information, minimize liability, and create a supportive environment where employees feel safe to seek help. The resource also covers strategies for documenting conversations appropriately, sharing information on a need-to-know basis, and collaborating with EAPs or treatment providers—all designed to support both employee well-being and organizational compliance.
[Download Confidentiality Considerations when Approaching an Employee]
Free Partner Toolkit: Guides for HR, Managers, and Professionals
By downloading the toolkit, you’ll also be added to our Professional Referral Network newsletter, where we share:
Together, we can make it easier for individuals to access the help they need.
Featured Templates
Workplace Incident Report Template: Safety & Productivity
Easily document workplace incidents with this comprehensive template designed for HR, managers, and safety officers. Capture accurate, consistent details of accidents, near misses, or safety violations to ensure compliance with OSHA standards, improve workplace safety, and maintain productivity. This template streamlines reporting, supports investigations, and helps protect both employees and your organization from potential liabilities.
Structured Conversation Templates for HR
Equip managers and HR professionals with clear, adaptable templates for handling sensitive workplace conversations. These templates provide step-by-step guidance for discussions about performance, attendance, employee wellbeing, and other challenging topics—helping ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance while maintaining a supportive workplace culture.
Together, Helping and Supporting Every Step of the Way
Essential HR Resources: Policies, Legal Guidance & Treatment Referrals
A comprehensive collection of resources designed to help HR professionals, managers, and workplace leaders navigate complex HR policies, maintain compliance, and address employee well-being. Use these practical tools, templates, and guides to streamline sensitive conversations, evaluate treatment programs, and make informed referrals—supporting a healthier, safer, and more productive workplace.
Finding the right treatment program can feel overwhelming. This checklist and sample language make it easier for HR professionals to evaluate quality treatment providers and incorporate referrals into workplace policy. By offering clear, vetted referral pathways, employers can strengthen trust and encourage recovery.
A practical checklist to help professionals, families, and employers assess the quality of an addiction treatment program. This tool highlights key factors to consider—such as accreditation, clinical approach, continuum of care, and aftercare support—so you can confidently refer clients or loved ones to programs that meet the highest standards.
Forms & Paperwork
Streamline HR processes with ready-to-use forms and templates. These documents make it easier to process leave requests, track employee support, and maintain confidentiality when working with treatment providers. Having the right paperwork helps HR stay organized and compliant.
Sample HR Documentation Templates: Performance/Behavioral Concern Logs
Ready-to-use templates that help HR professionals and managers document employee performance or behavioral issues consistently and accurately. These logs support fair evaluations, track progress over time, and provide a clear record for performance discussions or legal compliance.
Employee Treatment & Leave Resources
This resource hub is designed for HR professionals and EAP coordinators to streamline referral, documentation, and support for employees entering addiction treatment. It includes practical templates, forms, and instructions to ensure compliance, confidentiality, and smooth processing.
FMLA Forms (with Examples)
Short-Term Disability Claim Forms
Sample HR Documentation Templates
Confidentiality Agreement Template
Support for Employers During Leave
Resources and guidance to help employers navigate employee leave with confidence and compliance. This includes tools for coordinating with payroll and benefits teams, understanding legal obligations, and supporting employees’ return-to-work planning—ensuring a smooth, fair, and legally compliant leave process.
Guide: How to Manage Workflow During Employee Leave
A practical guide for HR professionals and managers to maintain productivity and continuity while employees are on leave. Includes strategies for delegating tasks, adjusting workloads, and coordinating team responsibilities, ensuring business operations run smoothly without overburdening staff.
Tips for Supporting Co-Workers While Maintaining Confidentiality
Practical guidance for managers and employees on how to provide support and encouragement to colleagues navigating personal or health-related challenges, while respecting privacy and maintaining confidentiality. Learn strategies to foster a caring workplace without compromising legal or ethical obligations.
Return-to-Work Plan
A structured template to help HR professionals and managers create clear, supportive return-to-work plans for employees after leave or treatment. Includes sections for accommodations, phased schedules, responsibilities, and follow-up, ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining compliance and workplace productivity.