Human Resources & Training Solutions
Last week in Part 1, I reviewed what you could do if you had an employee like Charlie Sheen. In Part 2, I’ll review some of the signs that might indicate an employee has a substance abuse issue.
It’s hard to determine why the performance of a good employee declines. There may be many reasons for the change including mental health and other performance issues such as lack of training, resources, motivation, or supervision. However, you may discover the signs of substance abuse in the workplace by being aware of the following changes:
- Attitude or Mood - Is he hyper-talkative, very quiet, depressed, overly-tired, overly-energized, or irritable especially after breaks or after the weekend?
- Quality of Work - Is he missing deadlines, making errors, appearing unfocussed, arriving late, taking more sick days, or arguing with the boss?
- Decision Making - Are decisions made that put the company at risk? Has spending increased without proper receipts? Has decision making slowed down or stopped all together?
- Relationships – Is he uncooperative and involved in more conflict with co-workers, suppliers, and customers? Does he stop listening, interrupt often, and try to argue his point of view beyond reason? Or does he withdraw himself from others?
- Grooming– Does he come in to work with blood-shot eyes, poor hygiene, inappropriately dressed, have alcohol-breath, or have the “shakes?”
What do you do if you discover these signs?
Review the steps in Part 1 and Part 3 of this series and remember that the employee may not be capable of seeing that he has a problem or that he needs help. Best practice organizations have winning programs in place to help advocate for the health and wellness of its people. If you need help developing policies and procedures or an EAP for your company, contact us now.
What other signs might indicate an employee has a substance abuse problem? Please share them in the comments section below.
Best regards, Joanne
Joanne Royce, Royce & Associates, Human Resources & Training Solutions, Creating Happy, Healthy, and Productive Workplaces
