The Working Week 72: Substance Abuse in the Workplace
September was National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the United States and this week, Wayne talk to Gus Steiber from Bensinger, DuPont & Associates, an employee assistance company, about the warning signs and effects of substance abuse in the workplace.
According to the US Department of Labor, three-quarters of illegal drug users are employed and almost eight out of 10 who abuse legal drug, including alcohol, are also in work. This estimated cost to the US economy of substance abuse is a staggering $246 billion.
As Gus explains, one person with a drug or alcohol problem at work affects about 10 others around them. So what are the warning signs to look out for? And if an employee does have a problem, what can their co-workers and employer do to help – and what should they avoid doing?
