How Employers Can Address And Prevent Harmful Alcohol Use

4 ways to help employees

Following a year of working remotely, the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations across the United States has made returning to the workplace a close reality for many employees. While most employers likely feel eager to welcome employees back to the workplace, an unexpected challenge may be awaiting them. 
 
Over the last year, the global pandemic forced many individuals to change their behaviors and routines – and some not for the better. According to an article in JAMA Network Open, binge alcohol consumption in the United States has increased since the beginning of the pandemic, and the American Addiction Centers says that about 1 in 3 Americans are more likely to drink alcohol during working hours while at home. 
 

Though a physical return to work may encourage some individuals to regain control of their drinking habits, it may not be as easy, and others may need more than just internal conviction. During this time, it will be important for employers to remain vigilant for signs and effects of harmful alcohol use that can impact employees’ work and safety both inside and outside of the workplace.  

Effects of Harmful Alcohol Use on the Workplace 

Harmful alcohol use can have a negative impact on not only an individuals’ own work, but also those around them. While many people associate harmful alcohol use with physical signs and symptoms – like stumbling or slurred speech – it can often manifest far more subtly. Harmful alcohol use is not limited to episodes of acute inebriation but may extend to distraction or absenteeism from work duties, hazardous behavior, and negative work or social interactions. 

As businesses return to the office or worksite, it’s important for leaders to keep an eye out for employees who are frequently missing deadlines, submitting incomplete assignments, or making careless mistakes – especially if there weren’t issues during in-person work in the past. Employees who are struggling with problematic drinking may work inefficiently and can develop short- and long-term conditions that can require additional time-off work. This can lead to reduced productivity, as well as lower the quality and quantity of work.  
 
In addition to negatively impacting work performance, harmful alcohol use can also affect overall workplace morale and relationships. The effects of alcohol can lead to behavior that is viewed negatively by both clients and coworkers, including continuous and noticeable absences from the workplace. Frequent absences can often create an imbalance of responsibilities, leaving others to pick up the slack from impaired colleagues, which may cause tension and resentment among coworkers and result in an overall dip in company morale. 
 
Harmful alcohol use can also have obvious implications on the safety of not just one employee, but all employees. Unnecessary risk taking, ignorance toward safety measures, and impaired judgment can all result in serious injuries or accidents. It’s particularly important to mitigate risk related to harmful alcohol use for those who work in industries that require driving vehicles or the use of heavy or dangerous machinery, chemicals, or tools, as in construction, manufacturing, or warehousing. 
 
While these signs don’t necessarily guarantee an employee is abusing alcohol, when there are performance and conduct problems coupled with any number of these signs, it may be necessary to take appropriate action to protect employees. It’s also important to note that an employee who exhibits any of these signs may not have a drinking problem, and they may instead be indicative of other health issues. The diagnosis of alcohol-related problems and the handling of workplace alcohol issues should respectively be made by treatment professionals and handled by the appropriate workplace assistance protocols.  

4 Ways to Help Employees 

From prevention methods to providing support for those who may be struggling with harmful alcohol use, there are many ways employers can help their workforce and improve workplace safety, morale, and productivity. Here are 4 to consider:   
   
Pandemic-related stay-at-home orders and prolonged periods of stress and isolation have led to a concerning increase in alcohol use. As the return to office-based or hybrid work seems to be a near future, employers should consider timely, relevant options to help prevent and provide access to treatment for harmful alcohol use.  

With more than 35 years of clinical and research experience, and leadership roles with academic medical centers across the globe, Dr. Charles Pollack has advanced the scientific basis and practice of emergency medicine, improving patient outcomes. As an advocate for multidisciplinary and interprofessional medical education, Dr. Pollack is a champion of guiding collaborative treatment teams to facilitate best-in-class care for complex disease management. He has written more than 500 original research articles, chapters, and abstracts, and serves on the editorial boards of several journals and on the steering committees of multiple national and international studies. He is the principal investigator on multiple ongoing trials and studies and is a strong advocate for entrepreneurism and innovation in healthcare. Connect Dr. Charles Pollack