Drug and alcohol use in the workplace is indeed no laughing matter. An affected employee could cause serious harm to people and property due to an accident or argument.
According to Promises, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, more than 70% of all substance abusers in the U.S. hold down at least one job.
Confidential studies have revealed that 25% of American workers between the ages of 18 and 34 will use illegal drugs at some point over the course of a year. It’s a significant problem that safety managers must be willing to acknowledge and address.
But how can you tell if or when someone is under the influence?
To answer that question, our staff compiled this list of 13 signs from situations they have personally encountered when conducting random, post-accident, or reasonable cause drug and alcohol testing:
- Smell alcohol on the person’s breath and clothing
- Decline in hygiene and personal appearance
- Employee displays jittery or anxious behavior
- Noticeable change of demeanor, attitude, and mood, such as becoming irritable
- Employee becomes combative and standoffish towards co-workers, clients, and customers
- Physical symptoms, such as glassy, blood-shot eyes, grinds teeth or sweats profusely
- Decline in alertness; the employee doses off or has sluggish speech or movement
- Tardiness or excessive absenteeism for no apparent reason
- Passes out at work
- Causes accidents that may injure himself or others
- An overall decline in moral
- Co-workers complain about the employee’s behavior
- Theft of property
Don’t put your workers or property at risk. If you suspect an employee is abusing drugs or alcohol on the job site, contact us to schedule a reasonable cause test.