Considering how common substance abuse is in the workforce, you may not be far off if you suspect an employee has a problem with it. Turning a blind eye to problematic changes in your employee’s quality of work will cost you a pretty penny, but if you act now, you may save not only your company but also your employee’s life and family members. Who knows? Your employee may be the only breadwinner of the family.
Signs of Alcohol or Drug Abuse in an Employee
The following list is not exhaustive by any means, but if you recognize any of these signs, please don’t ignore them:
• Frequent absenteeism without notification
• Unusual number of mistakes due to poor judgment or lack of detail-orientation
• Excessive trips to the restroom that sometimes last for a while
• Increase in missed deadlines, appointments and meetings with questionable excuses
• Refusal to take responsibility for declining work ethics and performance
• Poorer personal appearance and hygiene
• Mental confusion and difficulty with concentrating on usual tasks
• Breakdown in relationships with colleagues
• More frequent emotional outbursts and arguments
• Noticeable personality changes (i.e., increased impulsive behavior and mood swings)
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
If you haven’t done so yet, you can implement an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for your company. EAPs are designed to help employees with issues outside the workplace that may be influencing their quality of work. They are free to your employees, and the cost to you as an employer is minimal, ranging from $12 to $40 per employee annually, according to reports by the Employee Assistance Society of North America and the Kaiser Family Foundation. Employees can enjoy multiple benefits ranging from short-term counseling sessions to direct access to a psychologist’s office; all services are provided with confidentiality.
New Method Wellness Is Here to Help
Even with an EAP in place, services are still extremely underutilized by employees due to their fear of being exposed. Matt Dunning of Business Insurance reports that in one survey, 3% of employees took advantage of their company’s EAP counseling services. Dunning also reports other studies in which a significantly small number of employees utilized benefits that were available to them. If your EAP is not working due to your employees’ underutilization, you can come to New Method Wellness for help. You are not alone. It’s never too late to reach out to us where our experienced Outreach and Intake Coordinators can assist you in helping a struggling employee who is afraid to come out. Our skilled interventionists will guide you in getting the help you need for your company while preserving the dignity of your employee.
To learn more or to speak with our Outreach Coordinator, contact us today!
