According to Employment Background Investigations, Inc., employees who use or abuse drugs are “…two times more likely to request early dismissal or time off, three times more likely to have absences of eight days or more, three times more likely to be late for work, four times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident and five times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim…”
2007 data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that small businesses (500 employees or less) are especially at risk of attracting workers with substance abuse problems: “Smaller businesses are less likely to have programs in place to combat the problem, yet they are more likely to be the employer‐of‐choice for illicit drug users. Individuals who can’t adhere to a drug‐free workplace policy seek employment at firms that don’t have one…”
Additional statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor:
–“An estimated 3.1 percent of employed adults actually used illicit drugs before reporting to work or during work hours at least once in the past year, with about 2.9 percent working while under the influence of an illicit drug.”
–“An estimated 1.8 percent of employed adults consumed alcohol before coming to work, and 7.1 percent drank alcohol during the workday.”
–“An estimated 1.7 percent of employed adults worked while under the influence of alcohol, and 9.2 percent worked with a hangover in the past year.”
More information here:
(http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/drugs/workingpartners/stats/wi.asp#6.)
Needless to say, alcohol or drug-impaired employees pose a huge risk to small businesses. One major mishap (workplace accident, etc.) can destroy a business.
Although the cost of thorough background checks, security investigations, and personality assessments (including handwriting analysis) may seem expensive, you can’t afford to skip these measures if you want to drastically reduce your risk as a business owner.
Copyright © 2010 Scott Petullo