You don’t have to look far these days to hear or see the words “drugs and alcohol” being discussed in our social circles or reported in the media. As a mother of young children, I’ll openly admit that I am petrified of the ice epidemic and other chemically designed and altered drugs that are out there. I genuinely fear what the landscape is going to look like for all of our children as they grow. However, the reality for employers is it’s not just susceptible youth who are drawn into this challenging battle with alcohol and drugs. The abuse of drug and alcohol does not discriminate in who it affects. It’s affecting all industries and all levels of the business community including office workers executives and senior professionals. The effects of both alcohol and illicit drug use either during or outside of work hours can have a significant negative impact on workplace health, safety and productivity. The Australian Drug Foundation found that:
- alcohol and drugs costs Australian workplaces an estimated $6 billion dollars per year in lost productivity;
- half of Australian workers drink at harmful levels, 13% use cannabis and 4 % use amphetamines;
- one in 10 workers say they have experienced the negative effects associated with a co-worker’s misuse of alcohol. The negative effects include reduced ability to do your job, involved in an accident or close call, worked extra hours to cover for a co-worker and took at least one day; and
- Having a hangover or coming down from drugs at work can be just as problematic as being intoxicated. Headaches, blurred vision, irritability, problems concentrating, lost voice and extreme tiredness can all create problems for the person coming down and their co-workers.
It is imperative that all workplaces have a sound and comprehensive drug and alcohol policy and as a community, tackle this major issue (that is potentially only going to get worse before it gets better) by looking to introduce screening in your workplace alongside robust, supportive education programmes.
- alcohol and drugs costs Australian workplaces an estimated $6 billion dollars per year in lost productivity;
- half of Australian workers drink at harmful levels, 13% use cannabis and 4 % use amphetamines;
- one in 10 workers say they have experienced the negative effects associated with a co-worker’s misuse of alcohol. The negative effects include reduced ability to do your job, involved in an accident or close call, worked extra hours to cover for a co-worker and took at least one day; and
- Having a hangover or coming down from drugs at work can be just as problematic as being intoxicated. Headaches, blurred vision, irritability, problems concentrating, lost voice and extreme tiredness can all create problems for the person coming down and their co-workers.
It is imperative that all workplaces have a sound and comprehensive drug and alcohol policy and as a community, tackle this major issue (that is potentially only going to get worse before it gets better) by looking to introduce screening in your workplace alongside robust, supportive education programmes.
Job Performance
- Inconsistent work quality
- Poor concentration and lack of focus
- Lowered productivity or erratic work patterns
- Increased instances of absenteeism or on the job “presenteeism” – when they are there, but not “really there”
- Unexplained disappearances from the office or jobsite
- Carelessness, mistakes or errors in judgment that happen regularly or seem out of character
- Needless risk taking
- Disregard for safety for self and others which potentially results in on the job and off the job accidents or incidents
- Extended lunch periods and early departures
Workplace Behavior
- Avoidance of friends and colleagues
- Blaming others for own problems and shortcomings
- Frequent financial problems
- Complaints about problems at home
- Deterioration in personal appearance or personal hygiene
- Complaints, excuses and time off for vaguely defined illnesses or family problems
- Major changes in mood or attitude
In March this year, TechniTest were invited to the 7th Australasian Drug & Alcohol Strategy Conference in Brisbane. Themed: ‘Building Collaborative Partnerships – responding within and across borders’, the conference brought together some of the world’s top drug and alcohol experts to share ideas on how to address common problems associated with substance abuse. The first public report by the Australian Crime Commission released at the conference, noted that, “ice, or crystal methyl amphetamine, poses the highest risk to the Australian community of all illicit drugs” and called for a collective response from state governments, law enforcement agencies as well as community groups and industry. It was in this vein that the National Ice Taskforce was formed. Across Queensland, an additional 291 officers have been trained in roadside drug testing. In a weeklong roadside blitz on the Sunshine Coast in May, Police found one in 2.3 drivers testing positive for drugs. This further prompted federal justice minister, Michael Keenan to warn that “Our nation’s addiction to this mind-eating, personality-distorting, life-ending drug” is undermining the social fabric of communities. Click here to read more of the report.
Actions
In terms of what this means for your business, consider the following key points.
- Have you implemented a comprehensive drug and alcohol policy? If no, is it because you’re afraid of losing your staff if you did implement a drug and alcohol policy?
- Have you considered how roadside testing may affect the productivity of your business?
- What is your duty of care and your obligations under the Fair Work Act and what have you done to safe guard your business to mitigate the risk of those impaired or using drugs and alcohol in your workplace?
If you have any concerns as to how this matter should be addressed, I’d be happy to talk this through with you. Who is TechniTest? Techni Test are a trusted referral partner of the EastCoast HR Group who helps us assist clients in the regular screening of their workers (nationally) as well as the development of detailed Drug and Alcohol Policy documents. TechniTest conduct instant Workplace Drug and Alcohol Screening Services strictly conforming to the AS/NS4308:2008, AS/NS4760:2006, AS3547:1997 and use NATA accredited products and services wherever possible. Their aim is to ensure safe workplaces and increase productivity by mitigating the risk of impaired personnel. TechniTest are unique as they offer a turn-key solution from tailored Policy Design and Reviews to the implementation of your Drug and Alcohol Policy, which includes staff training and education, onsite Drug and Alcohol Regimes and Rehabilitation/EAP Programmes. TechniTest are very proud to announce that they have been authorised by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) to conduct hair testing nationally with an industry leading five day turn-around time. Hair Testing Services are used in court cases, probation/parole requests, forensic casework involving deceased victims, but have become popular for pre-employment screens for those employees earning above $100k and within various sporting codes. You can learn more about TechniTest by visiting their website.
