Goldberg Segalla partner Caroline J. Berdzik was quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education on the complex legal and workplace issues surrounding substance use in academia.

The article, “How the Higher-Ed Workplace Fuels Addiction,” explores how the pressure, isolation, and competition embedded in academic careers can contribute to substance abuse among faculty and staff, while also examining how institutions respond when employees seek help.

Co-chair of the firm’s nationwide Employment and Labor practice group and chair of the Health Care and Long-Term Care groups, Caroline provides legal insight into how addiction is treated under federal and state employment laws, particularly the balance between employee protections and employer obligations. She explains that while current illegal drug use is generally not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with a history of addiction, those in recovery, and employees struggling with alcoholism may be entitled to job-protected time off to seek help.

In those cases, employers may need to provide reasonable accommodations, such as medical leave, schedule flexibility, or access to treatment programs, often supported by protections under laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act.

At the same time, Caroline emphasizes that these protections are not unlimited, noting that employees must still be able to perform the essential functions of their roles and that institutions are not required to tolerate ongoing impairment in the workplace.

Caroline also points to an increase in addiction-related cases since the pandemic, particularly in high-stress professions.

“The worst thing you want to happen as an employer is to basically have an employee hit rock bottom,” she says.

The article notes that the stigma attached to addiction and recovery in higher education persists. In many industries, “there’s less judgment surrounding employees that are struggling with addiction issues, and more pathways for employees to seek help,” Caroline says.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: “How the Higher-Ed Workplace Fuels Addiction,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 18, 2026

MORE ABOUT GOLDBERG SEGALLA’S Caroline J. Berdzik:

Caroline devotes her practice to helping businesses, organizations, and management navigate the panoply of employment law issues, from proactive counseling through alternative dispute resolution and trial. She represents companies in diverse industries such as health care, transportation, retail, construction, insurance, and finance, as well as non-profit organizations and educational and religious institutions.

In every matter, Caroline draws upon her previous experience as an in-house counsel to bring a deep understanding of and sensitivity to the daily challenges and cost considerations companies face. Accordingly, in her role as advisor and advocate, she functions as a virtual extension of clients’ in-house legal and human resources teams, working in integrated partnership with them to protect the company’s best interests and bottom line.