Drug abusers in the workplace cause global employers billions of dollars annually. Recent studies show confounding results regarding the trend of illegal drug use by employees. Use of the illicit substance or misuse of controlled substances, alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs is called drug abuse. Employers have concerns about drug abuse stemming from the ways it alters work behavior, causing increased tardiness and absenteeism, lower productivity, a higher rate of mistakes, and more industrial accidents.
It also causes antagonistic behavior among employees, which leads to workplace violence. According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information (NCDA), in the U.S., lost productivity due to substance abuse costs up to 100 billion a year. Therefore, employers are looking forward to lowering the cost and increasing productivity by keeping their employees under supervision. Let’s take a look at the infographic of the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace and how employers can address them.
Problems caused by drug abuse in the workplace
Apart from accidents, sudden deaths, and lack of productivity, there are other problems associated:
- Sleepy at the workplace
- Lack of decision-making
- Damages the morale of co–workers
- Offering drugs to other employees
- Fights & arguments with colleagues/supervisors
Drug abuse in the workplace in the U.S. causes issues like increase cost in medical and social services and affects both employers and employees
Aftershocks of drug abuse of an employee: NCADI stats
- Far less productive compared to normal employees
- More likely to injure themselves or anyone else
- 5 times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim
- Always makes excuses & is involved in workplace conspiracies
According to a survey, 9% of drinkers & drug abusers skip work due to:
- Hangover
- 11% of drinkers skipped work in the past month
- 18% of the drug abusers skipped work in the past month
How Marijuana Employers’ biggest challenge?
86% of employers are concerned about the usage of marijuana in the workplace
83% of employers believe marijuana contributes to a lack of quality work
86% of employers believe employees’ drug abuse causes operating costs
- More employees claim compensation
- Increases health insurance cost
- Litigation costs because of legal uncertainty
Factors that cause employee substance abuse
- Accepting employees’ drug abuse as a culture
- Workplace isolation
- Presence of drugs in the workplace
Electronic supervision to prevent drug abuse in the workplace
Supervision can reduce drug abuse, according to U.S department of Labor
- Almost 91% of employees have a decrease in absenteeism
- 88% of employees decrease issues with supervisors
- 93% of employees have decreased in mistakes
