Sam, you have it dead right. Encumbrances to those seeking help (or others who might refer someone with issues) must be broken down and companies willing to back this/have strong EAP "no jeopardy" programs--and take the economics out of it (i.e. don't lose your income just because you get sick). And have a way to recertify people after they've dealt with problems.
Further regulatory burdens will only drive more people more underground. This guy was tearing up doctors notes lest someone find out about them. You can't write laws to find people who don't want to be found. This guy could just as easily made up a phony name and/or ID for his doctor visits, gone to a doctor in a foreign country without records, self-medicated, or just not seen anyone for anything. Not saying that a bunch of idiots with pens might not head in that direction, only if they do it will only make the problem worse and punish the innocent (as well as those who COULD benefit from help to stave off problems before they become mountains).
Gnadenberg, as someone with firsthand experience of these, they do NOT work when it comes to mental health or substance abuse problems--UNLESS something significant happens to flag someone (which doesn't happen until the point it becomes really, really bad). A person with significant issues can run under the radar for his or her entire career (fearing the ramifications of getting help which is even worse when the person has problems and isn't thinking straight to begin with). PRP was a significant encumbrance to individuals and families from getting counseling and help who genuinely would have benefited from it. Mental health (even for skills to deal with family and normal problems that crop up in life) had such a stigma that it was avoided like the plague. Even a simple question on a physical like "do you find your job stressful" was usually checked 'no' lest one have to go through a nutroll to unscrew the results.
I do VERY much agree a strong relationship between union and management in developing a real assistance model (geared toward getting the individual well) with strong peer support is the key to success here.
Last edited by Shep69; 29th Mar 2015 at 18:11.