Help for Employers

ADDICTION IN THE WORKPLACE

Addiction affects 20% of the adult population in the UK.  Against the current background of rising stress levels, risk of unemployment, static pay levels, and changing work-life balance – company directors, HR managers, Health & Safety officers would do well to be aware of it’s presence and effect on their business.  Figures suggest that even the smallest companies will have employees with an addiction issue.

How are addiction issues dealt with in your business? 

Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, gambling, gaming, food, social media or online addictions – all have an impact on the individual’s ability to perform at work and incur substantial costs for the business: 

• Absenteeism  - an employee’s time away from work due to illness or disability
• Lost productivity
• Accidents in the workplace
• Fraud
• Presenteeism – decrease in productivity in employees whose health problems have not necessarily led to absenteeism
• Re-training costs through loss of skills
• Health and Safety breaches
• Co-worker/team moral

COST TO BUSINESS 

If addiction remains a hidden problem it can become a costly and damaging force.  However, if employers routinely take the dismissal route there are cost implications; disciplinary, competency, gross misconduct or dismissal proceedings, tribunals, lost management time, reduced productivity. And less tangible costs relating to health and safety, breaking employment law, be mindful also of negligence laws surrounding ‘duty of care’.

Consider the time it takes to advertise, recruit, interview and train a new employee to the same competency level; if that ‘hire’ is successful (also a risk) this process could still cost the business 12-18 months. 

TREATMENT INTERVENTION

Western Counselling has wide experience working with organisations of any size (private and statutory) to support their addiction treatment needs for alcohol and/or drug and related issues such as gambling, eating/food, and co-dependency. Each programme is bespoke and varies in length and approach. 

Addiction issues do not mean an employee will not be able to return to the workplace and continue their job function. We offer employers the proactive choice for their staff.  Our bespoke residential treatment service provides structured, tailored addiction recovery programmes, which meet the needs of the individual and the business.  We become a strategic partner to deliver treatment as part of your employee assistance policy.

Our expert admissions team assesses an employee and recommends a treatment programme.  It takes into account individual needs and the employer’s preparedness to support recovery through full or partial funding, time off work and return to work conditions. The cost to the employee is wholly dependent on their employer’s policy.

Confidentiality for the individual in treatment is strictly maintained.  But our relationship and interaction with the employer guarantees they remain fully informed of progress. We advise the employer, manager or HR department of any and all potential issues to ensure a smooth return to work (this can be a phased return).

For information or advice call 0800 849 9257 or email enquiries@westerncounselling.com

Leading Uk Transport company acheives 100% success rate for employees completing a recovery at Western Counselling.