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Mandatory Alcohol Testing Found to Violate Rights

Mandatory Alcohol Testing Found to Violate Rights

An office worker at ExxonMobil was discriminated against after self-describing as an “alcoholic,” according to a recent decision by a New Jersey appeals court. The woman’s husband had died several years ago, after which she developed her alcoholism. Representatives say that her drinking did not impact her work performance. She took a voluntary leave of absence to check into a treatment program to deal with her alcoholism, after which she was required to sign a statement saying she would abstain from all alcohol consumption and submit to random alcohol tests at any time.

After failing one alcohol test, she was fired. She then sued ExxonMobil, alleging that the statement she was required to sign was a violation of New Jersey anti-discrimination laws. Now a New Jersey appellate court agrees with her, explaining the statement was a discriminatory measure for employees that self-identified as alcoholics. Medically speaking, alcoholism is a disease, and discriminating against someone with a disease is not protected under law. One thing in this case is clear, however: the woman’s decision to seek treatment for her alcohol abuse was the best choice she could’ve made in her circumstances.

If you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol addiction or dependence, you should seek help now. Thankfully, there is good help available. Detoxification and behavioral therapy have proven to be effective in treating alcohol and drug dependence. Addicts are often unable to complete treatment on their own or with family members, so it’s very important to seek the right treatment center. At Seabrook, we customize our treatment plans to individual patient’s needs, so you know the help you’re getting is right for you or a loved one. Seabrook has rehabilitation centers in New Jersey (NJ), Pennsylvania (PA), and an outpatient center in New York (NY). Contact Seabrook today for any questions about alcohol, drugs, addiction, and treatment.

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