In addition to endangering affected individuals, alcoholism is a financial burden on employers, racking up billions of dollars every year in on-the-job injuries, health problems, and absenteeism. When employees suffer from this disease, they don’t just take it home—it affects everyone working alongside them. As trusted authorities on the issue, the alcohol testing team at Phoenix, AZ’s US Compliance Consortium Inc hopes to shed light on alcoholism in the workplace.

If you look closely, employees may exhibit signs of alcoholism that indicate they need professional help. One of the warning signs is a poor attendance record. Consuming a large amount of alcohol can result in chronic tardiness or sudden strings of “sick” days. Alcoholics may also appear unkempt or smell like alcohol.

Pay attention to coworkers who actively hide their personal life to conceal their problem, or exhibit a lack of patience with ordinary problems on the job. If you suspect a coworker has an alcohol problem, ask them about it, or speak to a supervisor who can stage an intervention.

Two federal policies may offer protection to employees with alcoholism. The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that employers offer accommodations to employees with alcoholism, so they can undergo treatment and keep their jobs. The Family Medical Leave Act allows employees time off work to get the help they need without having to worry about repercussions at work. These two programs are meant to grant alcoholics the time they need to recover, not to protect employees whose work suffers as a result of their alcoholism.

The team at US Compliance Consortium Inc works with businesses to foster safe, productive workplaces through corporate drug testing and alcohol testing services. Give them a call at (602) 765-2200 to discuss their various assessments, or visit them online for more information about supervisor training courses and alcohol testing services.