Please join us for an early virtual meeting
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 7:30-9:30 AM
Addressing Employee Substance Use and Mental Illness in a Virtual World
Presented by Ryan West, Nancy J. McKee, and Valerie Faeth
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the landscape of the workplace in 2020 and the foreseeable future. More employees are working remotely now than ever before. These new challenges have led to a significant increase in employee substance use and mental illness across the U.S. and abroad. Substance use and mental illness are sensitive topics that can be difficult for employers to address at any time, but remote employees present a unique challenge, especially as it pertains to "reasonable suspicion" drug and alcohol testing.
This 90-minute virtual seminar equips employers with an essential framework to effectively address employee substance use and mental illness in a virtual world.
Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:
- Identify changes in a remote employee’s appearance, behavior and performance that are concerning.
- Effectively respond to employee problems while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Maximize the benefit of an EAP for employee illness prevention and treatment.
- Determine what changes should be made to existing drug and alcohol policy and testing procedures.
HRCI/SHRM = 1.5 credits
Zoom invite will be sent prior to event
About our speakers:
Ryan West, MS, CFI - Trainer and Corporate Consultant for Greenbriar Treatment Center
Ryan began working for Greenbriar Treatment Center as a clinical evaluator and admissions counselor in 2007, specializing in helping employed individuals suffering from substance misuse and mental health issues. Over the past eight years, Ryan has helped numerous employers, local and national, re-develop their drug and alcohol policies, drug testing procedures, and training programs. He also specializes in educating clinical audiences and the general public on the commonly misunderstood condition of addiction and related topics.
Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a master’s degree in psychology with an industrial-organizational concentration. He is a published author on the subject of workplace substance misuse issues, a Certified Forensic Interviewer (specializing in body language interpretation), a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® practitioner, and the Owner and Executive Director of EQualifyed, LLC - an organizational consulting firm that boosts the emotional intelligence (EQ) of leaders, high potentials, and those in service-oriented professions.
Nancy J. McKee, RN, LPC, CAADC - Director of Clinical Services for UPMC Life Solutions
As LifeSolutions' Clinical Director, Ms. McKee is responsible for clinical quality management and clinical staff supervision. The Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling to employees and family members of Life Solutions for personal and work-related concerns, consultation with managers related to employee performance and behaviors, and participates in Disruptive Event Management. Ms. McKee is a registered nurse and licensed counselor with an extensive background in the behavioral health and addiction field. She has worked in various settings, including inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings, community mental health settings, and private practice. Ms. McKee has been in leadership roles within these organizations for the past 25 years.
Ms. McKee earned her Associate Degree in nursing from Butler County Community College, her Bachelor's Degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Rehabilitation Education, and her Master's Degree in Counseling Education with an emphasis in Addiction from the Pennsylvania State University.
Valerie Faeth, Attorney - Shareholder in Dentons Cohen & Grigsby’s Labor and Employment Department
Valerie Faeth is a Shareholder in Dentons Cohen & Grigsby's Labor and Employment Department. During the 32 years that Valerie has been practicing law, she has represented employers in a broad array of employment disputes. Her areas of focus include conducting and overseeing investigations of alleged employee misconduct; counseling employers on hiring, discipling and discharging employees; defending employers in investigations conducted by administrative agencies such as the EEOC, PHRC and DOL and federal court litigation; providing supervisor and employee training on a variety of employment matters and drafting employee policies including drug and alcohol policies.
Valerie has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Labor and Employment since 2013 and is a frequent lecturer on employment subjects. She currently serves on the Board of Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh and resides in Upper St Clair with her husband, Steve.
