How to Work With Employees That Have A Substance Abuse Addiction
Substance abuse happens in businesses, whether the company has one employee or hundreds of employees. However, employees that have a drug or alcohol problem that goes untreated may be more likely to work for small business that doesn't have a drug-free workplace program established. As an employer, whether you own a small business or a large business, it's essential to create a drug-free program, so employees know there is support for them when they need help.
Establishing a Drug-Free Workplace
If your company does work with the federal government in any capacity, you must follow the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. If you aren't a government contractor, you can still put a drug-free policy in place at your company. You can follow the Department of Labor's guidelines to create a plan to discourage the misuse of drugs and alcohol and lead a life of rehabilitation:
Hang posters that educate employees about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse
Provide information about counseling and rehab services that are available
Have consequences for employees that abuse substances in the workplace
Identifying Employees Who Need Help
How do you know when an employee may have a drug or alcohol abuse issue? There are some warning signs that employers should be aware of:
Frequent time off or forgetting to call in sick
Change in an employee's behavior or personality
Sudden poor hygiene or lack of professional appearance
Additional time required for familiar tasks
Poor decision-making skills
Frequently missed deadlines or missed appointments
Suddenly forgetful or confused about work tasks, meetings, or responsibilities
Supporting Employees in Recovery
If an employee in your company seeks help, they should use whatever benefits they have and do so confidentially and without any penalty on their employee record. As an employer, you must remain supportive during your employee's recovery period. Still, it's also a good idea to set some rules and boundaries if you don't have them in place already. Once your employee is ready to return to work, have them ease back into their role and responsibilities.
DATCO is Available to Help Your Company
Do you need drug and alcohol compliance support for your company? Contact DATCO at 800-95-DATCO (32826) to discuss the many options DATCO offers to employers to help with drug and alcohol compliance.
