Managing drug and alcohol misuse at work
Our report, written with input from charities and experts in the space, examines the management and prevention of drug and alcohol misuse at work

Our report, written with input from charities and experts in the space, examines the management and prevention of drug and alcohol misuse at work
The issue of drug and alcohol misuse at work has always existed, adversely effecting employees’ health, work performance, conduct, and safety. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working life – and the resulting economic downturn – have heightened many of the wellbeing risk factors, such as increased emotional and financial pressures and social isolation. Employers must ensure they have a clear policy on substance misuse and we recommend that drug and alcohol misuse forms part of their overall wellbeing offering to ensure any need for disciplinary action is coupled with a preventative and supportive approach to help employees get the help they need.
This report provides an overview of current employer practice in preventing and managing drug and alcohol misuse at work. It examines why the argument for greater employer support and preventative action around drug and alcohol misuse is stronger than ever.
While the findings of this report are based on UK data, the broader implications should be of interest wherever you are based.
Download the report below
In addition to the report, we recommend you read our accompanying guide to inform and support your approach.
The report reveals that, while most organisations have specific drug and alcohol policies, only a small minority of them provide information on sources of support for employees. However, the impact of providing support is clear. For example, our survey found that, for those employers who had referred an employee to rehabilitation support, 69% had remained working for the organisation.
Key highlights from the report include:
Managing drug and alcohol misuse is an important area for employers to address
Few employers provide line manager training and support
Managing drug and alcohol misuse at work does not always consider employee wellbeing
Employee disclosure increases the provision of employer support
Alcohol is commonly available at official work social events
Explore these key findings on pages 7–9 in the full report, and a more in-depth discussion of these findings on pages 15–42.
To explore these recommendations in more detail, see pages 10–15 in the full report.
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