An Employer’s Guide to Spotting Drug and Alcohol Use

Maintaining a strong drug and alcohol policy is an important step toward creating a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace. However, the policy itself is only one component of your overall plan for a drug-free work environment. As an employer, it’s important to know the signs of drug and alcohol use so that you can take proactive steps if you feel an employee is experiencing difficulty with addiction.

Accidents and Injuries

Accidents and injuries may be a sign that an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. While a single accident may be an isolated incident, repeated incidents or sloppy behavior is cause for concern. Because drugs and alcohol can lead to serious injuries that may affect other employees or even clients and bystanders, it’s important to take action if you believe an employee may be putting others at risk.

Inconsistent Attendance or Performance

Drug and alcohol abuse often leads to changes in employee attendance and performance. Employees that continually arrive late, leave early, or fail to appear for work without explanation could be suffering from the effects of addiction or abuse. Similarly, sudden drops in performance or productivity without explanation may also be linked to an ongoing drug or alcohol problem.

Abnormal Behavior

Concerning behavioral changes should also raise red flags regarding possible drug and alcohol abuse. Employees may appear stressed, angry, confrontational, or depressed when they are trying to deal with addiction to drugs or alcohol. If you personally notice changes in behavior or receive consistent reports of changes in the way an employee acts, it may be time to confront the employee with your concerns.

At Oschmann Employee Screening Services, we can help you enjoy a drug-free workplace with employee screening in Arizona. We offer laboratory-based drug testing, employee training programs, and assistance with the development and maintenance of drug and alcohol policies in all types of work environments. Please take a look through our website or call (800) 224-8532 to reach us for more information about our services.

 

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