Employee Drug Use at Your Workplace?
No one wants to deal with employee drug use at their workplace, but the fact remains that it happens far too often. More than 70 percent of substance abusers hold jobs; one worker in four, ages 18 to 34 used drugs in the past year and one worker in three knows of drug sales in the workplace. Americans consume 60 percent of the world’s production of illegal drugs; 23 million use marijuana at least four times a week; 18 million abuse alcohol; 6 million regularly use cocaine and 2 million use heroin (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), April 26, 2015). Unfortunately, many employers suspect that their employee is using before a failed drug test or workplace incident.
All Signs Point to Employee Drug Use
All signs point to employee drug use, but how do you take action on this? Whether you decide to make it a performance issue or personal issue, it is important to deal with the issue quickly and appropriately. In the workplace, the problems of substance abusers become a threat to safety and productivity. They increase risks of accidents, lower production, raise insurance costs and reduce profits.
How do you know if you are dealing with employee drug use? There are some signs to look out for:
- Mood shifts – Some mood shifts include irritability, depression, or energy changes (“particularly energetic or talkative after breaks or lunch”)
- Altered appearance – When someone is going through an addiction they tend to focus on their appearance less and less. For example, if you have an employee who previously appeared well-groomed who now shows up unshowered and dressed inappropriately you may have an issue of addiction.
- Performance and productivity issues – Keep an eye on your employee if their performance takes a dip, or if they start to take many sick days without an explanation.
- Problems with work relationships – “Be on the lookout for employees who are argumentative, uncooperative or accusative.”
It is important to document these signs so that you can recognize patterns and behaviors. Write down the symptoms along with a brief explanation of what day/time you noticed them. Alert your supervisor if you have one.
If your employee fails a drug test, SAP Referral Services (SRS) can help. Companies that employ safety-sensitive employees and are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must have a substance abuse policy that provides SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) or SAE (Substance Abuse Expert) referrals. Many companies with non-safety-sensitive employees choose to implement substance abuse policies and utilize substance abuse specialists to make recommendations for treatment or education.
SRS works with a diversity of businesses, from small, privately owned to Fortune 500 companies and has the program capabilities to create a process that will support your employees’ personal needs for guidance and compassion while receiving the clinical care necessary for maintaining abstinence and psychological well-being – SRS is ready to help your employee(s) get back to work. If you suspect employee drug use in your workplace get in touch with SRS today.
source: You suspect an employee is using drugs: What now?