• clients with difficult and complex issues;
• lack of societal support for, and recognition of, the issue of substance abuse; and
• an ever-changing work environment.

These and other factors can take a serious toll on the workforce, leading to physical illness, complications from stress, ”burnout” and poor performance. In order to mitigate these types of problems, the substance abuse workforce must be supported by policies and practices across all levels of the organization. In this section, you will find resources that describe essential elements of supportive workplaces and provide information about the types of measures that can be implemented to ensure the environment is one in which the workforce can thrive.

Resources

Developing and Sustaining Effective Staffing and Workload Practices [PDF] 
Best practice guidelines to assist in workload planning and workload management decision making. Explores how the decision making process must ensure that appropriate structures and supports are in place to maximize the nursing effort resulting in the best possible care and positive outcomes for the patients/clients, nursing personnel, and the organization.
Published: December 2007
Source: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario
Website: www.rnao.org 
Language: English only

Wellbeing, Stress and Burnout – A National Survey of Managers in Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services [PDF]
Key findings from a national survey of managers of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) specialist treatment services, looking at the indicators and predictors of occupational wellbeing in treatment services in Australia.
Published: 2007
Source: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA)
Website: www.nceta.flinders.edu.au
Language: English only

Antidepressant Skills at Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace [PDF]
This document provides an overview of workplace issues that arise for people dealing with depression and depressed mood. It focuses on ways to deal with the effects of depression in the workplace and includes practical skills, based on scientific evidence, for dealing with depressed mood.
Published: 2007
Source: BC Mental Health and Addiction Services (BCMHAS)
Website: www.bcmhas.ca
Language: English only

It's Our Business: Workplace Information Series
The It's Our Business: Workplace Information Series offers basic information related to substance use and gambling in the workplace for leaders and workers.
Published: 2006
Source: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC)
Website: www.aadac.com
Language: English only

Commission des normes du travail - Harcèlement psychologique - Guide de sensibilisation à l'intention des employeurs et des salariés [PDF]
This guide presents the definition, rights, obligations and recourses available under the Act respecting Labour Standards. Since psychological harassment is a relatively under-recognized area for intervention, the goal of this guide is also to raise the awareness of readers about the phenomenon and its impact. The guide will be of interest to employers, employees, associations and unions who want to learn more about the legislation on psychological harassment in the workplace.
Published: 2006
Source: Quebec Department of Labour
Website: www.cnt.gouv.qc.ca
Language:  French only

Stress and Burnout: A Prevention Handbook for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Workforce [PDF]
This handbook is designed to be a user-friendly and practical resource that: identifies the key factors likely to impact on stress and burnout for AOD workers; describes practical strategies to prevent and alleviate stress and burnout in AOD workers.
Published: 2005
Source: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University
Website: www.nceta.flinders.edu.au
Language: English only

Workforce Development ‘TIPS’—Theory Into Practice Strategies: A Resource Kit for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Field, Chapter 13: Worker Wellbeing [PDF]
This chapter presents a set of useful tools and strategies to support workers' wellbeing in the AOD sector that have received strong support from the research literature.
Published: 2005
Source: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University
Website: www.nceta.flinders.edu.au
Language: English only

Workforce Development ‘TIPS’—Theory Into Practice Strategies: A Resource Kit for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Field, Chapter 14: Workplace Support [PDF]
Support from supervisors, co-workers and the organization as a whole has consistently been identified as an important factor that contributes to AOD workers’ wellbeing and effectiveness. This chapter considers a range of strategies that can be used to develop and sustain a supportive workplace for AOD workers.
Published: 2005
Source: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University
Website: www.nceta.flinders.edu.au
Language: English only

Norme du travail - Harcèlement psychologique - Guide de prévention à l'intention des employeurs des grandes entreprises [PDF]
The Labour Standards Board recognizes that prevention is the best approach to making workplaces free from psychological harassment. As a result, it is possible to proactively address the situations that could lead to psychological harassment and minimize the negative effects on individuals and the company.
Published: 2004
Source: Quebec Department of Labour
Website: www.cnt.gouv.qc.ca
Language:  French only

A Fine Balance—A Manager’s Guide to Workplace Well-Being [PDF]
A manager’s guide from the Canadian Centre for Management Development (CCMD) derived from roundtables on workplace well-being. Includes questionnaires and articles on the topic.
Published: 2002
Source: Canada School of Public Service
Website: www.myschool-monecole.gc.ca
Language:  English and French

Caring Without Burning Out [PDF]
The indisputable impact of factors linked to work conditions, organization and environment on nurses’ well-being is recognized and acknowledged by all workers in the health network, as clearly shown by reports from the RIPOST research team, the Clair Commission and the National forum on nursing workforce planning.
Published: 2001
Source: Fédération interprofessionnelles de la santé du Québec (FIQ)
Website: www.fiqsante.qc.ca
Language:  English and French

Best Advice on Stress Risk Management in the Workplace Part 1
Best Advice on Stress Risk Management in the Workplace Part 2
The primary purpose of this publication is to raise awareness and inspire action concerning the very real risks to health and safety posed by certain kinds of toxic stress in the workplace.
Published: 2000
Source: Health Canada
Website: www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Language: English and French

The Daily Essentials of Workplace Mental Health [PDF]
Tips to improve mental health in the workplace.
Source: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Website: www.caot.ca
Language: English and French