Last updated : November 11, 2024
More businesses are becoming drug free workplaces, but with this change comes some advantages and disadvantages. Most workplaces understandably want to ban the use of more serious drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and bath salts. A drug ban at work may also prohibit employees from using less harmful drugs like marijuana. Banning the use of all drugs is helpful in many ways, but such a ban may also create unforeseen problems for the employer.
Mild to moderate use of less harmful drugs may negatively impact the workplace, but such drug use does not typically affect work as deeply as occasional use of more harmful drugs. Employees who use less addictive or less harmful substances are typically able to complete their work in a timely manner and generally follow all workplace rules. Even mild drug use may cause a decrease in productivity and may cause more serious problems such as excessive absences, mood swings and increased conflicts among employees. Although no workplace would institute a written policy tolerating drug use, many workplaces have unwritten policies that allow light to moderate drug use as long as such use is not disruptive and does not interfere with work.Light drug use at work allows employees to relax, socialize and reduce stress. Some employees might use drugs in the same way that another employee might have a beer or a martini at lunch. Employees who are obviously intoxicated or intoxicated to the point that they are disruptive detract from the overall environment of productivity. Workers who socialize through drug use may form strong bonds with each other that lead to a greater sense of teamwork and therefore greater productivity.
On the other hand, instituting a drug ban or drug testing policy may create other problems at work. A drug testing program causes the employer to incur additional financial costs and additional time to administer the program. Many casual drug users choose to use such drugs as a method to regulate their moods or medicate untreated psychological problems. Light drug use may help some employees be more productive and enjoy work more. Drug testing programs may eliminate some potentially good employees and even the most qualified people for the jobs if these people choose to recreationally use drugs at work or outside of the workplace.
Drug bans or drug testing policies may hurt workplace morale. When such a policy is instituted, current employees may view this choice by management as a way to add extra rules, reduce fun at work, and employees may even see such policies as efforts to unfairly micromanage employees. Additional conflicts may arise if employees detect favoritism in testing policies or if certain drugs are banned but other drugs are not. Employees may socialize less and management may see a decrease in morale if light or social drug use is not tolerated.
Overall, there are advantages and disadvantages to social drug use outside of work or light drug use while at work. Employees and employers need to avoid interfering with productivity while also keeping morale, teamwork and employee bonding in mind. Any policy about drug use should look to maximize productivity and limit disruptions without infringing upon employees’ personal lives.
