Alcoholism in the workplace is a common problem in North America. As far as the Government as an employer is concerned, an employee’s decision to drink is that individual’s personal business. However, when the use or abuse of alcohol interferes with the employee’s ability to perform his or her duties, the employer does have legitimate concerns, including the proper performance of duties, health and safety issues, and employee conduct at the workplace. Can-Am Interventions would like to bring awareness to this dire issue, and to offer help with these trying and difficult circumstances.
Supervisor’s Role
As a supervisor, you have an important role in dealing with alcohol problems in the workplace, along with other agency officials. You have the day-to-day responsibility to monitor the work and on-the-job conduct of your employees. You are not responsible for diagnosing alcoholism in employees.
Basic supervisory responsibilities include:
- assigning, monitoring, reviewing, and appraising work and performance
- setting work schedules, approving or disapproving leave requests
- taking necessary corrective and disciplinary actions when performance or conduct problems surface
- referring employees to your agency’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or to trained addiction professionals such as Can-Am
At some point, you will likely encounter employees with problems related to alcohol in dealing with performance, conduct, and leave problems. In some cases, you may not know that there is an alcohol problem. In other cases, you may know, either because the employee admits to being an alcoholic, or the problem is self-evident. For example, an employee may become intoxicated while on duty or be arrested for drunk driving. Your role is not to diagnose the alcohol problem but to exercise responsibility in dealing with the performance or conduct problem, hold the employee accountable, and take appropriate disciplinary action. Your role in dealing with alcoholism in the workplace is crucial. The most effective way to get an alcoholic to deal with the problem is to make the alcoholic aware that his or her job is on the line and that he or she must get help and improve performance and conduct, or face serious consequences, including the possibility of losing his or her job.
Signs to Look for
Even though you must try to not diagnose the problem, there are many signs that may indicate a problem with alcohol.
Leave and Attendance
- Unexplained or unauthorized absences from work
- Frequent tardiness
- Excessive use of sick leave
- Patterns of absence such as the day after payday or frequent Monday or Friday absences
- Frequent unplanned absences due to “emergencies” (e.g., household repairs, car trouble, family emergencies, legal problems)
The employee may also be absent from his or her duty station without explanation or permission for significant periods of time.
Performance Problems
- Missed deadlines
- Careless or sloppy work or incomplete assignments
- Production quotas not met
- Many excuses for incomplete assignments or missed deadlines
- Faulty analysis
In jobs requiring long-term projects or detailed analysis, an employee may be able to hide a performance problem for quite some time.
Relationships at Work
Common issues may become apparent amongst the alcoholic and the other employees:
- Relationships with co-workers may become strained
- The employee may be belligerent, argumentative, or short-tempered, especially in the mornings or after weekends or holidays
- The employee may become a “loner”
The employee may also have noticeable financial problems evidenced by borrowing money from other employees or receiving phone calls at work from creditors or collection companies.
Behavior at Work
The appearance of being inebriated or under the influence of alcohol might include:
- The smell of alcohol
- Staggering, or unsteady body language
- Bloodshot eyes
- Smell of alcohol on the breath
- Mood and behavior changes such as excessive laughter and inappropriate loud talk
- Excessive use of mouthwash or breath mints
- Avoidance of supervisory contact, especially after lunch
- Tremors
- Sleeping on duty
Not any one of these signs means that an employee is an alcoholic. However, when there are performance and conduct problems coupled with any number of these signs, it is time to acknowledge these behaviours to protect the other employees and so that the employee can get help as is needed.
Help?
Alcohol abuse is one of the more common addictions. Alcohol is a legal substance that is accepted among many as a “normal everyday vice”. Many people suffer from alcoholism even though they used it in the beginning as an accepted social activity. Over time it becomes the “go to” for all of life’s complicated and overwhelming problems and doesn’t take long before we start an unhealthy habit of turning to alcohol when life is becoming too much to cope with. This is where the addiction grows. Can-Am Interventions would like to offer our support, and to provide council and treatment options to those who are struggling with alcohol addiction. We are here to guide the addicted as well as their families and support networks. If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, we are here to help. The first step is understanding that there is a problem. We are here to provide the rest.
E: patti.pike@canaminterventions.com W:www.canaminterventions.com
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415-578-2875 Office