So many people every day depend on our public transportation in our country. We use it every day to going to school, work, errands and everything in between. We depend on the workers that operate the subway, buses, trolleys, and trains to get us to our destinations safely. The operators are just like you and me and just like you and me they get stressed or overworked and need to find ways to cope.
The MTA or Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the largest public transit authority in the United States. It is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S. state of New York, serving 12 counties in Downstate New York, along with two counties in southwestern. The MTS carries over 11 million passengers on an average weekday systemwide and over 850,000 vehicles on its seven toll bridges and two tunnels per weekday.
Why do MTA Employees Turn to Alcohol?
Employees of the MTA have huge responsibilities that involve others’ lives and some operate large machinery that requires full concentration and focus. They go through many tests, including drug and alcohol screenings, to gain authority to begin work and random tests throughout their employment. As mentioned before, they get stressed or overworked and may have personal issues that may bring them to the point of using and abusing alcohol.
Sometimes the use of alcohol can get to the point of being dependent on it and then form an addiction. When someone is abusing a substance and falls victim to addiction they use multiple times a day to continue the effects and to keep from going through alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
While alcoholism may have different effects on different people some of the most common signs of alcohol abuse you may have are:
- Experiencing temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss
- Exhibiting signs of irritability and extreme mood swings
- Making excuses for drinking such as to relax, deal with stress or feel normal
- Choosing to drink over other responsibilities and obligations
- Becoming isolated and distant from friends and family members
- Drinking alone or in secrecy
- Feeling hungover when not drinking
- Changing appearance and group of acquaintances you hang out with
- Coming in late to work
- Work performance lacking
Help for MTA Employees with Alcoholism
There is help you can get and you can keep your job. Whether an MTA employee tests positive for alcohol or voluntarily asks for help, they must complete an authority – or union-sponsored treatment program and then pass a second drug test. An MTA employee is also protected from getting fired by the laws FMLA and ADA.
- FMLA
It provides protection if you take a leave for medical reasons and can provide you with up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off from work annually without the risk of losing your job. There are some factors that are required to be eligible though.
FMLA Eligibility Requirements:
- You’ve worked for your employer at least 12 months.
- If you have worked for a minimum of 1,250 hours over the past 12 months.
- You’re employed at a site where the company employs 50 or more workers within 75 miles.
If you meet these criteria, you can’t be fired for going to rehab by simply taking an FMLA leave of absence.
To be sure you are protected under this law you must request an FMLA leave before you enter treatment. If you go to rehab then request for leave, FMLA will not apply to you. You must follow the formal FMLA process for requesting a leave of absence otherwise you can be fired.
- ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act works by you voluntarily enter treatment for alcohol abuse disorder, which is considered a disability. This is usually used on your vacation time.
Garden State is Here to Help
Garden State Treatment Center is one of the best alcohol addiction rehab centers in the United States and we are located in Northern New Jersey. To get the right treatment that will help you live a life that is not controlled by alcohol consumption, you need to take the first step and ask for help. Our alcohol addiction rehab in New Jersey will improve your chances of becoming and staying healthy.