I read this on an old newspaper, and I thought it would be appropriate to open this post with this observation by Margaret O’ Rourke:
Drug addiction is also prevalent among very aggressive young professionals. The pressure and stress at work can sometimes lead to this condition. In my few years in the corporate worlds as an HR practitioner I have counseled many and dismissed from work, unfortunately, some employees who are positively identified as drug dependents. This is a serious issue that needs to be looked upon in any organization. Symptoms are easily recognizable among employees. (1) High absenteeism rate, (2) frequent tardiness, (3) loss of concentration at work, (4) low productivity, and (5) showing sign of aggression with colleagues and immediate superiors are but some of the indicators that a drug addict employee shows. How do you prevent this in the workplace? My proffered approach is two-fold.
"Public perceptions of alcohol and drug abuse differ widely. Some people believe it is a moral problem that individuals bring on themselves and therefore should have the strength of character to overcome. Some see it as a law and order issue, others as an illness where the drug user is a blameless victim of a chronic disease. Whatever the perceptions, there is no doubt that addiction is a chronic, relapsing and sometimes fatal disorder, characterized by compulsive, often uncontrollable, drug seeking." (The Weekend Australian, Weekend Health, November 29-30, 2003)I agree with Margaret there, that whatever is our perception of drug addiction, this physiological disorder needs drug treatment. For the more serious cases, a longer drug rehab is required.
Drug addiction is also prevalent among very aggressive young professionals. The pressure and stress at work can sometimes lead to this condition. In my few years in the corporate worlds as an HR practitioner I have counseled many and dismissed from work, unfortunately, some employees who are positively identified as drug dependents. This is a serious issue that needs to be looked upon in any organization. Symptoms are easily recognizable among employees. (1) High absenteeism rate, (2) frequent tardiness, (3) loss of concentration at work, (4) low productivity, and (5) showing sign of aggression with colleagues and immediate superiors are but some of the indicators that a drug addict employee shows. How do you prevent this in the workplace? My proffered approach is two-fold.
- Corporate Policy. There should be a clear cut written policy how to handle cases of employees who have this disorder, and this policy should be properly disseminated to all. This should also include an intervention program and a referral system as to where a concerned employee may be referred to. 4Rehabilitation.com is an excellent site for this purpose.
- Preventive Mechanism. An organization should spearhead an information campaign that will discourage employees from taking illegal or prohibited drugs, highlighting the ill effects, and the possible consequences. Here the maxim, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” is in its truest sense, and must be adhered.
0 Reacted to this post:
Post a Comment