Workplace Substance Abuse

1
Workplace Substance Abuse

• A Labor-Management Epidemic
• Jeffrey Altholz MD C-MRO
• Clarity Testing Services Inc.

2
Workplace Substance Abuse

• How Big Is This Problem?
• How Much Does It Cost?
• Who Pays?
• What Can You Do About It?

3
How Big Is This Problem?

• 19.2 Million US Workers May Drink At Or
• Before Work
• Estimated 15 of the US Workforce
• Construction Is A High Risk Profession For
• Substance Abuse
• University of Buffalo Research Institute on
  Addiction

4
How Much Does It Cost?

• Loss To Companies 100 Billion Annually
• Lost Productivity
• Absenteeism x 3
• Related Injuries To Them Or Others
• 5 x Workers Comp Claims

5
Who Pays?

• We all do!!
• Higher Health Fund Costs
• More Sick Days
• Higher Health Insurance Premiums
• Higher Workers Comp/Disability Premiums
• Reduced Product or Service Quality
• Lower Morale

6
What Can You Do About It?

• Examine Contributing Factors
• Dont Look The Other Way
• Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy
• Drug Testing

7
Contributing Factors

• Workplace Culture
• Workplace Alienation
• Alcohol and Drug Availability
• Supervision
• Drug and Alcohol Policies

8
Workplace Culture

• Accept/Encourage or Inhibit/Discourage
• Gender Mix
• Alcohol As a Bond, Solidarity to the Group

9
Workplace Alienation

• Boring, Stressful or Isolating
• Low Job Autonomy
• Lack of Control Over Work Conditions
• Verbal Aggression, Disrespectful Behavior

10
Alcohol and Drug Availability

• Restricting Access May Reduce Use
• Worksite Access Restriction
• Lunch

11
Drug and Alcohol Testing

• Deterrent Effect
• Objective Measure
• Strong Message
• Reduced Insurance Costs
• New Hire Screening
• The Life You Save

12
Supervision

• Limited Supervision
• Evening Shifts
• Remote Locations
• Isolation From Management

13
Dont Look the Other Way

• Silence Equals Acceptance
• Work Is the Last Thing To Go
• Employees Call For Help
• Its Everyones Problem
• Company Liability

14
Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy

• Clear Written Policy Statement
• Supervisor Training
• Employee Education and Awareness
• Employee Assistance
• Drug and Alcohol Testing

15
Summary

• Workplace Substance Abuse (WSA) Is An Enormous
  Drain of Productivity For US Business
• Employers Bear Most Of The Costs
• Construction Is Particularly Prone To WSA
• Many Of The Negative Effects of WSA Are
  Preventable
• Dont Ignore It! It Never Goes Away On Its Own
• Substance Abuse is Very Treatable
• Update and Document Company Drug and Alcohol-Free
  Workplace Policies
• Drug Testing