Last updated : November 11, 2024
Employers face obvious legal and ethical issues when employees are caught using drugs on company time, but there are also serious hidden risks when workers use drugs at home.
Besides increased turnover from failed random drug tests, businesses often face problems that affect overall efficiency, safety and profit.
The following are just a few of the less obvious problems off-the-clock drug use can cause.
Frequent Absences
Statistics provided by the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance suggest that the average drug user misses about five days of work every month. The absence can be directly or indirectly caused by drug abuse, and addiction increases the risk. Drug users who cannot obtain illegal drugs locally may take time off to travel to meet distant dealers. Drug addiction often results in irresponsible choices and loss of control. The need to be high may cause users to take drugs too close to work days, which could force them to call in sick so that no one would suspect their condition. Even if drugs are taken after work on a Friday, unexpected or prolonged negative reactions or physical symptoms may linger through the weekend and into the first part of the week. Employees who are frequently late or absent complicate operations and place a burden on management and fellow workers.
Drugs Follow Employees to Work
If users do take the risk of showing up for work while still under the influence of drugs, their motor skills, sensory perception and judgment may be seriously impaired. The length of time a drug stays in the body varies by the type of drug, its strength or quality, and the user’s personal tolerance, age, physical condition and metabolism. It’s almost impossible for an employer or a user to determine how long a drug will remain in effect after it is taken. Amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates and methamphetamines can stay in the system for several days. Marijuana can produce residual effects for up to a week.
Drug-Related Medical Surprises
Over time, off-site drug use greatly increases healthcare costs for employers. In addition to temporary reactions and hangovers, drug use often leads to chronic, serious medical issues that may require hospitalization and extended absences. In some cases, death or permanent disability may occur. If users neglect to obtain medical care for fear of their drug use being exposed, chronic symptoms may cause poor work performance. Subsequent injuries and accidents will eventually raise workers compensation expenses.
Productivity Issues and Inferior Performance
Both street drugs and prescription opiates have long- and short-term negative effects on mental and physical abilities. Under the influence of drugs, people simply cannot work as quickly or as efficiently as they can when sober. Even highly trained experts with impressive credentials can’t perform at optimal levels when inebriated or high. When drug use results in inferior products or poor workmanship, both money and time is lost.
Drugs Cause Morale Problems
Frequent absences, tardiness, low productivity, accidents, mistakes and poor workmanship inevitably affect the entire business and its associates. Other team members who have to take up the slack or clean up a drug user’s messes will eventually become resentful. Low morale can spread quickly in a workplace. Employers are obligated to support good performance, and treat everyone fairly. Drug use in the workplace makes teamwork difficult.
Unexpected Lawsuits Deal a Huge Blow
Property damage or injuries to staff members or customers that occur as a result of an employee’s off-the-clock drug use can end in devastating lawsuits that drain the company’s financial resources and ruin its reputation.
Employers Avoiding Hidden Drug Use Risks Is Good for Everyone
Whether they partake of drugs at work or at home, drug users put their employers in jeopardy. In the bigger picture, they also create unnecessary risk for society in general. Businesses that make extra effort to prevent drug use both on and off the clock are providing a service. It’s not just beneficial to their bottom line; it helps everyone. Close monitoring ensures quality work, deters potential drug use and provides an opportunity to help those who need rehabilitation.
