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Job loss discrimination and former substance use disorders
Marjorie L Baldwin1, Steven C Marcus, Jeffrey De Simone
1W. P. Carey School of Business, School of Health Management and Policy, Arizona State University, Box 874506, Tempe, AZ 85287-4506, USA. Marjorie.Baldwin@asu.edu
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|March 30, 2010
Summary
Individuals with past substance use disorders face no employment rate differences but experience more involuntary job loss. This suggests potential employer discrimination, especially impacting those with lower human capital.
Area of Science:
- Labor Economics
- Public Health
- Disability Studies
Background:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits labor market discrimination against individuals with former alcohol or drug use disorders.
- Empirical studies have largely overlooked this population regarding post-Act discrimination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate employment outcome disparities between individuals with and without former substance use disorders.
- To quantify the extent to which employer discrimination contributes to these disparities.
Main Methods:
- Application of econometric techniques commonly used for studying other disabled groups.
- Analysis of employment rates, full-time employment, and involuntary job loss.
- Controlling for factors influencing employment outcomes.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in overall employment rates or full-time employment were found.
- Individuals with former substance use disorders reported significantly higher rates of involuntary job loss.
- A portion of the increased job instability remains unexplained by other factors.
Conclusions:
- Employer discrimination may contribute to job instability for individuals with former substance use disorders.
- Subgroups with lower human capital are particularly vulnerable to substance-related employment discrimination.
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