Last updated : November 11, 2024
Alcohol abuse is no laughing matter. It is something that has been the bane of very many good people in Atlanta and beyond. Many of us know someone who has been effected by alcohol abuse, as it seems to grab people indiscriminately; it’s grip can tighten around people from all different walks of life.
Unfortunately, people who suffer from alcohol abuse aren’t just those people who drink a lot at home. There are a growing number of people who are taking their addictions with them, including those who even drink at the workplace.Here, we’ll discuss some of the common dangers that the employer can potentially face if one of their own employees are in the throes of alcoholism. Furthermore, we’ll highlight the options that you may have to curtail and identify those who may have problems with abusing alcohol.
Accidents
First and foremost, drinking alcohol in the workplace can cause a great deal of accidents. Regardless of the field you’re in, mixing alcohol and work is a bad idea. This is especially the case where there’s a fair amount of machinery around. The same is true for those employers who hire people to drive motor vehicles.
Not only can these accidents be detrimental for the equipment in which you use, it can also result in gross bodily injury and the dramatic rise in insurance costs.
However, even the “right” clerical error may prove to be a substantial detriment to the mission of the company.
Decreased Productivity
Decreased productivity is also something that commonly occurs when there’s an alcoholic on the staff, due to the lack of judgement and critical thinking skills. Decreased productivity is assuredly most counter-intuitive to the goals of the company, however it is considered to be one of the largest things associated with those that abuse alcohol in the work place.
While it may not be as substantial as accidents caused by the consumption of alcohol, it’s most definitely something that concerns employers across the boards.
Decreased Profits
The use of alcohol in the workplace will most definitely hurt a company where it hurts the most – the wallet. Since your employee cannot perform to the standard that they were hired for, expectations and profit margin will be negatively effected. Virtually all employees play a pivotal role in the company, and when they do not pull their weight – the company suffers.
As such, it’s considered a very good idea to assure that everything is running in the way that it should. Unfortunately, this is incredibly hard to do when there is an alcoholic among the ranks.
How Employers Should Protect Themselves
There are a number of ways for the employer to protect themselves, including contacting USA Mobile Drug Testing. Drug testing is something that should be done for a great deal of different employers, as all drugs have the ability to impact any particular business in a negative way.
Fortunately, USA Mobile Drug Testing has become a leader in the industry, as they bring the ability to conduct comprehensive drug testing without hassle.
It’s important for every employer to consider the risk that alcohol abuse has on the workplace. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 21.9 percent of women and 42.3 percent of men admitted to having 3 or more drinks per drinking day.
Furthermore, 43.1 percent of men and 28.8 percent of women drinkers admitted to be binge drinkers. Binge drinking – as defined by NIAAA – is a person who consumes more than 3 drinks within 2 hours at least once.
Of course, there is a very good chance that your business is employing those who come in with a clear and focused head. However, the troubling statistics state that there is sufficient need for employer drug testing. Not only does your businesses’ livelihood depend on it, but the implementation of drug testing can also help save a person’s life.
Call us today at 770-627-4500 or email us at [email protected].
