Authbridge

Substance Abuse in the Workplace

Companies can’t turn a blind eye

Drug, alcohol and other substances abuse are an increasing trend in corporate India. Recent studies have shown that most drug users are in the age group of 18-35 years. This is a concern for India’s new age and high technology companies who are major employers of this section of the population. Companies can no longer shrug off the threats of such incidents.

It is a personnel problem and a rapidly growing one. Many organizations and, by extension, their HR departments, are still in denial. They are ignorant about who is using illegal drugs and alcohol and their symptoms. Beliefs that “drug abuse isn’t a problem in our organization” are very often misplaced. There is a growing body of evidence that substance abuse is a major factor in company losses.

Drug Free Workplace – A Start

The growing cases of drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace are a strong reason for companies to have a drug free policy. The policy should translate into a comprehensive testing programme that is fair and non-discriminatory and of a high medical standard.

Companies should implement a drug-testing programme that is clearly defined and includes education, training, and counseling. It should also be carried out on a regular basis in order to be effective. This will ensure that applicants with a history of drug, alcohol or substance abuse can be quickly identified and weeded out, creating a safe and productive workplace for other employees.

Your employees change – are you aware?

Millions of young boys and girls, entering the workforce, are the product of rapid industrialization. They leave home for jobs in big cities. The work environment of process driven and highly competitive companies is a whole different world for them. They work hard and learn to play hard too. The unaccustomed high earnings burn their pockets.

In a very short span of time their lifestyles change, aspirations alter and their traditional conservativeness vanishes. Their attitude towards work also undergoes a sea-change.

Lack of parental supervision and other social controls coupled with high pressure jobs and a ‘cool’ social environment push these youngsters into releasing stress through alcohol, drugs and other psychotropic substances.

The older most established work force is equally at risk. The demands of work, family pressures and financial strains could push them into alcohol or drug abuse. Their previously mild and controlled habits could become threatening.

Keep it Going

Some companies do have a drug testing programme with various degrees of intensity. However, in most cases, the book is closed once the employee has cleared the tests and started employment. HR departments are lulled into a false sense of security and very few have ongoing internal controls and checks to keep track of employee behavior.

Workplace substance abuse has a massive impact on the working environment. Also the financial implications are an issue that demonstrates just how important it is to have a continuous or regular substance testing process in place. Those companies that ignore this threat do so at their peril. The price for lack of vigilance could be huge – big enough to affect the bottom line.

Some eye-opening facts

According to industry surveys of alcohol and drug abuses and users:

• 15% to 20% of absenteeism and 40% of accidents at work are due to alcohol abusers.
• Make up 17.6% of the case load of psychiatric emergencies and alcohol-related problems in an Indian General Hospital.
• The annual loss due to alcohol-related problems in work places is between Rs.70,000 to Rs.80,000 million.
• Take three times as many sick days.
• Are 65% more likely to injure themselves or someone else at the workplace.
• Are five times more likely to file worker's compensation claims.
• Are 10 times more likely to steal.

Statistics such as these prove that substance abuse in the workplace is an issue that employers need to address. It is an issue that has a solution – a substance abuse testing programme.

Trouble Signs

Substance, alcohol and drug abuse is difficult to discover because detection is difficult, until it is too late, and co-workers very often cover up because the offender is a friend.

However, it does not require too much expertise to spot drug abusers. There are several clear and telling signs that managers should look out for in the workplace:

• A growing incidence of absenteeism especially immediately before and after weekends and holidays
• Deteriorating work quality and productivity
• Onset and increasing bouts of illnesses
• Moodiness, where previously the person was fairly even-tempered
• Psychological problems like anxiety and depression
• Inability to handle criticism and overreaction to it
• Decline in physical appearance or grooming
• Financial problems

The good name and reputation of businesses are under threat by drug abusing employees. Companies could be liable for financial damages from clients. It is just good business sense to have an effective and comprehensive drug testing programme.