Opinion: What can HR managers do about addiction at work?

What can HR managers do if they find that a member of staff can no longer function properly at work because of an alcohol or drug (or gambling) addiction? In Romania there are very few options but HR managers should be aware of them as the chances are high that there are some secret alcoholics or drug addicts in your company.

By Rupert Wolfe Murray

Dismissal is the usual result of blatant alcoholism and drug addiction but many addicts become expert at hiding the fact that they are drunk, or hung over, on the job. Hiding the effects of drugs is easier and bosses are less experienced at spotting the signs.

A common scenario is to “cover up” for addicted employees. There is a reluctance on the part of management to fire people for addiction as they know it could spell the end of that person’s career. As people get to know each other at work and friendships develop there is a natural tendency to try and help each other hang onto their jobs.

The problem with “covering up” for co-workers is that it is usually based on the false premise that they are helping the addict, by helping them keep their job. In fact, what they are really doing is ensuring that the addict or alcoholic perpetuates their addiction, by solving some of the problems that arise due to addiction.

The other problem with dismissal is that it costs a lot. Every HR manager is aware of the high costs of replacing, and retraining, an employee. If the employee in question has many years of experience (and performs well on “good days”) it is natural to avoid the issue of dismissal for as long as possible.

When faced with a blatant addict in the workplace, managers are faced with three options: ignore it, dismiss the person, or offer the option of treatment. This last option is the only one that can have a positive result but it is unfortunately the least used option, even in Western Europe, as HR managers and company doctors often don’t have the information needed to refer someone for treatment (and there is a shortage of rehab centers in many EU Member States).

What HR managers need to know about addiction treatment

The best residential rehab treatment can turn a liability (an addicted employee) into an asset.
Residential rehab treatment takes between two and six months, addresses the underlying (psychological) causes of the individual’s addiction, and is expensive.
In Western Europe treatment is usually covered by private insurance policies or public health budgets. This is not the case in Romania as health insurance services are under-developed.
Many health insurance companies don’t include addiction treatment on their list of treatments provided but HR managers can challenge their health insurance providers about this.
The only services available in Romania are big state hospital “detox” units (only the first stage of residential rehab treatment), some small residential rehab centers in Transylvania, a few AA-type and online self-help groups and a handful of private psychiatric clinics where out-patient addiction treatment can be accessed. There is no residential rehab unit in Romania that is suited to professionals from the business sector.

PROFILE

Rupert Wolfe Murray is the Central and East European representative of Castle Craig Hospital, a UK rehab clinic that recently sponsored a new website aimed at providing business and HR managers with information about addiction.

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