If one of your employees is struggling with this disease, you might be tempted to fire him or her. While HR can establish codes of conduct employees must abide by, there will still be limitations on all employee actions outside the workplace. If a circumstance of this nature were to arise, it should be addressed and handled by HR. Happy hour and after-work drinks often go hand in hand with long days on the job, providing networking opportunities and a chance to unwind. Know that it’s a profitable decision, as it caters to the steady demand of those who choose to indulge at the end of the day. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse, and you have been putting it off please contact Coastal Detox today.
Despite being in a work-related setting there is the risk of overconsumption. This can have serious repercussions for both the individual and their company. Online communities like Daybreak are a great way to have support at your fingertips. You could also follow blogs you like, and read up on Hello Sunday Morning’s blogs and social media posts, as they are created to inspire you with some great ideas to help you change your relationship with alcohol. Furthermore, frequent after-work drinking can result in behavioral changes that affect workplace dynamics. According to ScienceDaily, the need to suppress negative emotions at work, like forcing a smile, is linked with increased drinking after work.
Signs of Alcohol Misuse in the Workplace
And some workplaces accept or even glorify drinking until you’re wasted at certain events, while others will scorn a worker who gets a little loose anywhere. Drinking after work is a common social activity across various professions. It’s often seen as a way to decompress, celebrate team achievements, or simply jim carrey fetal alcohol syndrome transition from work mode to personal time. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying a drink at the end of the day, it’s important to be mindful of the reasons behind this habit. Are you drinking to relax, or is it a coping mechanism for work-related stress?
For example, a spouse may threaten divorce, or the alcoholic may be arrested for driving under the influence. Prevention of alcohol misuse in the workplace begins with awareness. “Generally, we recommend compassion and accommodations for employees who suffer from a substance use disorder to allow them to get help, but also recommend using caution with substance use in the workplace,” she said. Stress and substance abuse, such as alcohol, can be common in people who do not have effective ways to manage their stress. Despite the relaxing effects you think alcohol may have, it is a depressant.
We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Join our supportive sober community where each day becomes a step towards personal growth and lasting positive change. But your employer may allow you to take a leave of absence to get treatment for addiction. The law doesn’t require them to do this, but some will offer you a last-chance agreement to get help.
- One of the best ways is simply to limit the amount of drinks you have.
- The alcoholic is simply not aware of what is going on in his or her body.
- They do not obtain confidential information from the EAP nor do they independently approach the employee regarding the problem.
- Sunnyside uses a psychology-based approach to help you drink more mindfully, no matter what your goal is.
- After the employee’s return to duty, there will be some type of follow-up care such as a 12-Step program or other group meetings, therapy, EAP sessions, or any combination of the foregoing (please see the Appendix ).
Unless the employee reveals the existence of an alcohol problem or there is immediate evidence of on-duty impairment, you must be careful not to offer any opinion that the employee may have a problem with alcohol. You should refer the employee to the EAP and explain that failure to correct any deficiencies may result in disciplinary or other action. It would be preferable to have already made an appointment for the employee with the EAP. While the employee may not be forced to take advantage of the EAP services, you should make clear that it is in the employee’s best interest to use the services.
Why Employees Quit (and 7 Steps to Retain Them)
The early or adaptive stage of alcoholism is marked by increasing tolerance to alcohol and physical adaptations in the body which are largely unseen. This increased tolerance is marked by the alcoholic’s ability to consume greater quantities of alcohol while appearing to suffer few effects and continuing to function. This tolerance is not created simply because the alcoholic drinks too much but rather because the alcoholic is able to drink great quantities because of physical changes going on inside his or her body. In the workplace, the costs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse manifest themselves in many different ways. Absenteeism is estimated to be 4 to 8 times greater among alcoholics and alcohol abusers.
This figure perhaps makes more sense given the 1 in 10 workers who reported drinking shots with colleagues after work. This is easy to do if you are at an event where you order or mix your own drinks. But even if you are at a happy hour where your co-workers are taking turns ordering each other drinks, you can just speak to the bartender soon after you walk in to make sure that they deliver a non-alcoholic option to you in each round.
Medical Professionals
Regular after-work drinking is a cultural norm in many professional environments. However, this practice can have a significant negative impact on both personal and professional relationships. While moderate social drinking can facilitate networking and bonding among colleagues, excessive or regular after-work alcohol consumption may lead to serious consequences.
Professional Development: A Key Component to Your HR Career
Is after-work drinking feeling like a necessity at the end of a long, hectic day? If you’re going to the bar after every shift or binge drinking when you get home from the office, it may be time to seek help. Setting limits on alcohol consumption is a growing trend among health-conscious individuals. According to recent studies, a significant proportion of alcohol consumers are actively trying to reduce their intake, with 83% doing so due to health concerns.
One of the primary concerns is the development of alcohol dependence. Dependence is a condition that can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD), characterized by an inability to manage drinking habits despite negative personal and health consequences. Persistent after-work drinking can disrupt the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, affecting mood and behavior.