Last updated : December 16, 2024
From police and the armed forces to construction workers and miners, substance abuse issues seem to affect workers everywhere. Occasionally, the repercussions of using alcohol or illicit drugs are relatively minor. However, the use of these substances has also led to debilitating accidents and even death. Employers are not helpless when it comes to protecting their workplace from these dangers. With a drug testing program, most employers will see an increase in worker productivity, a safer work environment and fewer injuries.
Substance abuse issues affecting the workplace run the gamut from a worker hung over from last night’s drinking binge to the employee who snorts cocaine in the restroom at the office. While one may not seem as dangerous as the other, the reality is that both have the power to negatively affect the workplace.
A worker who arrives on the job with a hangover or still buzzed from a night of partying is not as alert as a sober employee. Their reflexes are dulled, their judgment is questionable and they aren’t able to concentrate. In some industries, such as those where the worker is operating heavy machinery, the results of this state of mind can be disastrous. A moment’s inattention caused by a hangover can result in serious injuries and worse.
The performance of the employee under the influence of cocaine is even more uncertain. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. The heart rate multiplies and blood vessels constrict when cocaine is used. Hyperactivity typically ensues. This leads to an inattention to detail and a dangerous carelessness that can adversely impact the safety of the employee who is under the influence and everyone working with him.
The costs associated with substance abuse problems in the workplace are enormous. There are the economic costs in terms of lost productivity and absenteeism. Workers using alcohol or drugs tend to be distracted by their need to obtain more of the substance, resulting in neglected work and missed deadlines. This leads to dissatisfied customers who may decide to take their business elsewhere.
The economic costs don’t end with the company’s bottom line. Employees who abuse substances tend to make more workers compensation claims and use their health insurance more heavily. They are more likely to be injured on the job or to cause injuries to others, leaving the employer open to costly litigation.
Some of the costs involved with employee substance abuse are more intrinsic in nature. Morale suffers when the absence of one employee forces others to take on more responsibility. Even if the under the influence employee makes it to work, other employees will probably have to attempt to compensate for their lack of production.
Statistics suggest that 75% of people who use illegal drugs hold down jobs. Moreover, as many as 65% of on the job accidents are in some way related to drug or alcohol use. All told, employees who use substances on the job or in their off hours cost their employers twice as much when it comes to insurance and compensation claims.
Fortunately for employers, this is not a hopeless situation. The numbers suggest that workplaces that have a formal, written policy regarding the drug free status of their workers see a significant drop in the instances of substance abuse on the job. Perhaps the most important component of that drug free workplace policy is the use of drug testing.
Whether it is performed randomly or routinely, drug testing has proven to be an excellent way to ensure safety and improve productivity. The cost of drug testing is relatively small, especially when compared with the costs of dealing with an accident caused by an employee who is working under the influence. Even better, absenteeism rates drop while morale levels receive a boost. Most employers who implement a drug testing program see a significant drop in workers compensation claims, and that makes the organization’s bottom line look a lot healthier.
Addressing substance abuse issues directly is the best way to make a company’s stance on the issue clear. With a written policy in place and drug testing a regular part of the organization’s culture, employers will surely see fewer workplace accidents and gain a healthier, more productive work force.
If you’re interested in implementing a drug testing program to reduce the dangers of employee drug use, contact us online or call us at 440-653-5003 today.
