Substance misuse is the unsafe or inappropriate use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription and over-the-counter medication.
It can affect a person’s health, behaviour, work, relationships, and safety, and may continue even when it causes harm.
In the workplace, drug and alcohol misuse can lead to lateness, absenteeism, reduced productivity, and a greater risk of accidents, making it a serious health and safety concern.
What are the signs of drug and alcohol misuse at work?
You spend a great deal of time with your colleagues throughout your working life, so it is natural to get to know them fairly well.
When someone’s behaviour seems out of the ordinary and there is no clear explanation, it can raise questions beyond simply asking, “Are you okay?”
In situations like this, it can be helpful to recognise the key warning signs of possible drug or alcohol misuse. Here are eight signs that may suggest a colleague is struggling with addiction:
- Unexplained changes in behaviour
- Decline in job performance
- Frequent absences or tiredness
- Mood swings and irritability
- Neglected professional appearance
- Isolation from colleagues
- Loss of interest in work
- Engaging in risky behaviours at work
It’s not always easy to identify when a fellow worker, employee, or business partner is experiencing an addiction, because substance use disorder affects everyone differently.
However, above are the common signs of addiction in the workplace, but don’t forget your sense of smell – marijuana and other forms of smoked drugs have a distinctive smell, as do certain alcohols.
How does impairment affect workplace safety?
Impairment of drugs/alcohol significantly affects workplace safety by reduced concentration, slower reaction times, and poor decision making, which in safety critical job environments could lead to serious injury.
Then we have the law – employers have a legal duty to protect employees’ health and safety, and managing substance misuse is crucial for maintaining a safe workplace.
What should a manager do if an employee appears impaired at work?
A manager should act promptly, focus on safety, and follow company policy.
Practical steps:
- Remove the person from safety-critical work immediately if there’s any risk to them or others. Employers have a duty to protect health and safety, and knowingly allowing an impaired employee to keep working can create legal risk.
- Observe and record facts, not assumptions — for example: smell of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady movement, confusion, or specific unsafe actions.
- Speak to the employee privately, ideally with a witness/HR present if your procedure says so. Keep it calm and respectful. Explain the observations and ask if there is an immediate medical or medication-related reason.
- Do not let them drive home if they may be unsafe to do so. Arrange safe transport in line with policy. This follows the overall duty to manage foreseeable safety risks.
- Follow your drugs/alcohol policy for next steps, including testing (if your policy allows it), suspension from duties, referral to occupational health/EAP, or investigation.
- If formal action may be needed, use a fair process consistent with ACAS principles on investigation, hearing, and the employee’s opportunity to respond.
- Offer support where appropriate — substance misuse can be a health issue as well as a conduct/safety issue, so support and signposting should sit alongside any disciplinary response.
All under the guidelines of HSE and ACAS Guidance.
How can WA Management help?
WA Management offer an Drugs and Alcohol at Work online training course, suitable for both employers and employees, along with a Healthy Living online training course to help employees take steps to leading a healthier lifestyle.
Drugs and Alcohol at Work & Healthy Living Awareness courses are essential tools in protecting and improving the health of your workforce.
Make sure you don’t miss out on our 10% off deal on these courses, available until the end of June. Simply enter the code ‘misuse10’ at checkout to save!
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