Alcohol: workplace health
Alcohol use can affect an employee’s health, safety and job performance.
Consequences of alcohol misuse:
In the workplace
- alcohol misuse can impair concentration, judgment and coordination
- alcohol misuse can contribute to 20 to 25 per cent of workplace accidents
- alcohol misuse can cause employers to be held responsible if an employee under the influence of alcohol harms themselves or coworkers while on the job
At workplace-sponsored events
- alcohol misuse can increase workplace liability due to alcohol-induced injuries to workers or third parties
During “off-hours” – Alcohol Misuse:
- costs Canadians billions of dollars, mainly in increased health care, law enforcement costs and reductions in productivity
- contributes to increased absenteeism
- contributes to increased tardiness
- results in more on-the-job injuries
- contributes to poor decision making
- contributes to conflicts among employees
- can result in low morale
- can result in increased worker compensation, sick benefits and insurance claims
- can result in higher staff turnover
What employers can do:
- provide all employees awareness campaigns and education on the effects of alcohol misuse
- foster healthy behaviours by creating a supportive environment that discourages alcohol misuse
- promote Canada’s Low Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines in your workplace
- offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that supports employees who use alcohol
- know your legal responsibilities and liability as an employer
- develop an alcohol misuse policy at your workplace
- offer training for supervisors regarding early identification of problems and appropriate steps to investigate problems and actions to remedy these problems
- develop tools to identify and investigate policy violations
- establish appropriate measures to reduce risks and liability in the workplace and at workplace sponsored events (e.g., at workplace sponsored events, require all bartenders to have their Smart Serve training and certification)
- decrease the risk of intoxication by employees at workplace sponsored events (e.g., use a two drink ticket system for alcoholic drinks, provide non-alcohol beverages for free, serve alcohol with food, post signs that say Don’t Drink and Drive)
- plan for safe transportation home for employees who have been drinking at a workplace-sponsored event (e.g., pre-paid buses or taxis, provide designated drivers)
Find Out More:
http://www.butlerconsultants.com/bb_pol.html
This item was last modified on April 30, 2020