How Alcohol Affects the Workplace


            Many people realize the harm that alcohol problems can cause in families and relationships. But alcohol problems
            also have a major impact on business, productivity and the workplace. Here are the facts:

            Given that 76 percent of people with drug or alcohol problems are employed:

                  • About 19.2 million U.S. workers (15%) reported using or being impaired by alcohol at work at least once in
                    the past year.

                  • Alcohol is by far the most widely used drug in the United States: 11% of workers have a problem with alcohol.

            Increased Healthcare and Insurance Costs

                  • Healthcare costs for employees with alcohol problems are twice those for other employees.

                  • People who abuse drugs or alcohol are three and one-half times more likely to be involved in a workplace
                    accident than other workers.

            Reduced Productivity

                  • Employees who use drugs, consume alcohol at work, or drink heavily away from work are more likely than
                    other employees to exhibit job withdrawal behaviors, such as spending work time on non-work-related
                    activities, taking long lunch breaks, leaving early or sleeping on the job.

                  • Employees who drink heavily off the job are more likely to experience hangovers that cause them to be
                    absent from work, show up late or leave early, feel sick at work, perform poorly or argue with
                    their coworkers.

                  • People with drug or alcohol problems were more likely than others to report having worked for three or more
                    employers in the previous year.

                  • Lost work productivity (including absenteeism and poor job performance) associated with substance abuse
                    costs the nation an estimated $197 billion a year.

            Fast Facts

                  • There are more light and moderate alcohol users than alcoholics, and they cause 60 percent of
                    alcohol-related absenteeism, tardiness and poor work quality.

                  • Younger employees are more likely than older ones to work under the influence of alcohol or with
                    a hangover.

            How Alcohol Problems are Costly to Employers

                  • 14 percent of workers said they had to redo work within the last year
                    because of a coworker’s drinking.

                  • Increased safety risks: up to 40 percent of industrial fatalities and 47
                    percent of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol consumption
                    and alcoholism. Alcohol-related accidents contribute to more
                    workers’ compensation claims, and more claims mean
                    higher insurance premiums.



            Source:
            SAMHSA