DOCK & DOOR TEC
  • Home
  • About
    • Accreditation
    • Community
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
    • The Dock & Door Tec Difference
  • Career Opportunities
    • Controller
    • Outside Account Manager
    • Sales Coordinator
    • Service Technician
  • Services
    • Springless Solutions
    • Enlarged Openings / Concrete Work
    • Facility & Equipment Analysis
    • Fire Door Drop Testing
    • Loading Dock Equipment Installation
    • Loading Dock Repair
    • Proactive Maintenance
    • Service Areas
    • Request Service
  • Equipment
    • Dock Locks (Truck Restraints) >
      • Impact
      • Non-Impact
      • Non-Conventional
      • Wheel Chock Systems
      • Pit Hooks
    • Fans & In-Plant Equipment >
      • HVLS Fans
      • HVHS Fans
      • Trailer l Dock Fans
      • Lifts, Various
      • Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor
      • Mezzanine Platform
    • Industrial / Commercial Doors >
      • High Speed Fabric Doors
      • Security High Speed
      • Rubber Doors
      • Fire Door
      • Rolling Steel
      • Impactable Dock Doors
      • Cooler / Freezer
      • Fabric Roll-Up
      • Impact / Traffic / Bump
      • Overhead / Sectional Doors
      • Operators / Activation
      • Air Curtains / Screen & Bug Doors
      • Strip Doors
      • Door Entrapment Protection
      • Door Protection
      • Overhead Door Upgrades
    • Loading Dock Levelers & Lifts >
      • Hydraulic Levelers
      • Air Powered Levelers
      • Mechanical Levelers
      • Edge of Dock Levelers
      • Cold Storage Telescoping Lip / Vertical Storing & Rail Car Levelers
      • Dock Lifts
      • Dockboards, Dockplates & Dock Ramps
      • Bumpers
    • Loading Dock Seals & Shelters >
      • Dock Seal & L-Pad Seal
      • Soft-Sided & Rigid Shelters
      • Specialty Enclosures
      • Under-Leveler Dock Seal
      • Rain Stops l Canopies
    • OEM & Aftermarket Parts
    • Safety / Energy / Security / Employee Comfort >
      • Energy Saving / Employee Comfort
      • Security Solutions
      • Safety Straps / Barrier Systems
      • Dock Lights & Communication Lights
      • Trailer Stands
    • Yeti Snow Removal
  • Markets
    • Food & Dairy
    • School Districts
    • General Contractors & Architects
  • Blog
  • Contact

Blog

Impairment in the Workplace

6/25/2019

 
Picture
Impairment in the workplace is probably one of the trickiest safety issues faced by employers today.  Sure it’s super easy to tell if someone is obviously drunk or high, but what do you do about it?   And what about those that you just suspect may be impaired in some way but you can’t be absolutely sure?

There are many kinds of impairment from sleep deprivation to mental illness to chemical abuse. Let’s focus on the most detrimental and potentially costly – chemical dependency and abuse.  Most companies have some kind of policy that they can refer to for corrective actions, but does that really help the person or the company?  Or is it just designed for procedure and discipline?
The problem
Picture
According to the NSC, nearly 21 million Americans are living with substance use disorder.  15,750,000 of those people are employed.  Employees dealing with addiction miss up to 50% more days than those who are not – on average 6 days more.  That’s a crazy amount of work and productivity loss.
​

Employees with substance abuse issues have higher health care costs as well, up to three times that of someone not dealing with an addiction.
Signs of impairment
Picture
Substance abuse or dependency doesn’t typically happen overnight, but it can, with certain triggers or stresses.   Luckily, there are signs that we can watch out for and address – usually without incident if handled correctly.  Besides the obvious signs – smelling like a brewery or winery, stumbling, slurred speech, etc. what other, more subtle, signs should we be watching out for? Here are some changes to watch for in your employees that could signal there is something going with them:
Physical signs:
  1. Deterioration in appearance and/or personal hygiene
  2. Unexplained bruising
  3. Sweating
  4. Complaints of headaches
  5. Tremors
  6. Restlessness
  7. Frequent use of breath mints / gum / mouthwash
  8. The odor of alcohol on breath or clothing
  9. Twitching or shaking
  10. Incoherent or muddled speech
  11. Excessive tiredness or hyperactivity

Psychosocial signs:
  1. Family or co-worker disharmony
  2. Major mood fluctuations
  3. Inappropriate verbal or emotional responses
  4. Inappropriate workplace behavior
  5. Confusion or memory lapses
  6. Lack of focus or concentration
  7. Lying or completely ridiculous excuses for behavior or mistakes
  8. Irritability
  9. Isolation from colleagues

Performance signs:
  1. Calling in sick frequently
  2. Requesting a move to a position with less visibility or supervision
  3. Arriving late or leaving early on a consistent basis
  4. Extended breaks, especially without telling colleagues they are leaving
  5. Forgetfulness
  6. Judgment errors
  7. Deterioration in performance
  8. An excessive number of incidents / mistakes
  9. Non-compliance with policies
  10. Doing just enough to get by
  11. Sloppy / illegible / or incorrect work
  12. Sudden and noticeable changes in work quality

We’re not saying these are all signs of only a chemical dependency problem.   They could be signs of a major change in their home life or signs of a psychological issue manifesting itself.  Either way, they are definite red flags to pay attention too.    Especially if they are exhibited by a one-time good or great employee.  As employers, it’s our responsibility to maintain a safe and productive workplace for everyone.  Being aware of changes like these in employees allows you to discover and address any issues that your employee is experiencing and possibly save someone from causing an accident, losing their job, losing their family, or even losing their life.
What can we do?
Picture
​As employers, we are in a unique position to recognize and help any employee that is struggling with some sort of substance or chemical dependency.  We see that person every day and know how they perform when not impaired, so we have a good frame of reference and a good reason to discuss the problem.  However, most managers or supervisors are not trained to recognize the signs of impairment, when it’s not blatantly obvious.  And most are certainly not trained to diagnose, offer treatment, or counseling.  What we can do is address the job performance issues and from there take further action as we learn more about the situation as it is unfolding.
​As employers and management we can:
  1. Recognize and accept that this is a widespread issue that affects every company at some time in every industry.  It’s dangerous, potentially deadly, and very costly
  2. Develop a strong and clear company substance use policy
  3. Set expectations and discreet methods for reporting suspicious activity or behavior
  4. Develop a training program for managers / supervisors / leads / foreman / etc. so that they learn how to spot the signs
  5. Develop an open-door policy for those that are struggling.  Give them a safe space, within reason, to acknowledge that they have a problem and that they need help
  6. Provide resources on local counseling centers, programs, or facilities near that your employee can talk with.  If you want to be really great, make sure they accept your insurance
  7. Setup a company meeting to discuss this issue and clearly communicate your policy, your expectations, and your willingness to help when needed

There’s no easy answer to this health crisis.  All we can do is keep our eyes and ears open, learn to spot early warning signs and learn how to appropriately deal with the issue when it crosses our path.

As always we hope that we have provided some useful information and sources.

Comments are closed.

    Author

    Various.

    Archives

    January 2023
    September 2022
    August 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2020
    June 2020
    February 2020
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2018
    April 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Bumpers
    Compliance
    Docks
    Doors
    Facilities Management
    Facility Modernization
    Fans
    Hydraulic Dock Leveler
    Proactive Maintenance
    Safety
    Warehouse

    RSS Feed

Contact Us   l   Privacy Policy   l   Sitemap   l   All Rights Reserved.

Picture
Dock & Door Tec
Serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota & South Dakota
  • Home
  • About
    • Accreditation
    • Community
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
    • The Dock & Door Tec Difference
  • Career Opportunities
    • Controller
    • Outside Account Manager
    • Sales Coordinator
    • Service Technician
  • Services
    • Springless Solutions
    • Enlarged Openings / Concrete Work
    • Facility & Equipment Analysis
    • Fire Door Drop Testing
    • Loading Dock Equipment Installation
    • Loading Dock Repair
    • Proactive Maintenance
    • Service Areas
    • Request Service
  • Equipment
    • Dock Locks (Truck Restraints) >
      • Impact
      • Non-Impact
      • Non-Conventional
      • Wheel Chock Systems
      • Pit Hooks
    • Fans & In-Plant Equipment >
      • HVLS Fans
      • HVHS Fans
      • Trailer l Dock Fans
      • Lifts, Various
      • Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor
      • Mezzanine Platform
    • Industrial / Commercial Doors >
      • High Speed Fabric Doors
      • Security High Speed
      • Rubber Doors
      • Fire Door
      • Rolling Steel
      • Impactable Dock Doors
      • Cooler / Freezer
      • Fabric Roll-Up
      • Impact / Traffic / Bump
      • Overhead / Sectional Doors
      • Operators / Activation
      • Air Curtains / Screen & Bug Doors
      • Strip Doors
      • Door Entrapment Protection
      • Door Protection
      • Overhead Door Upgrades
    • Loading Dock Levelers & Lifts >
      • Hydraulic Levelers
      • Air Powered Levelers
      • Mechanical Levelers
      • Edge of Dock Levelers
      • Cold Storage Telescoping Lip / Vertical Storing & Rail Car Levelers
      • Dock Lifts
      • Dockboards, Dockplates & Dock Ramps
      • Bumpers
    • Loading Dock Seals & Shelters >
      • Dock Seal & L-Pad Seal
      • Soft-Sided & Rigid Shelters
      • Specialty Enclosures
      • Under-Leveler Dock Seal
      • Rain Stops l Canopies
    • OEM & Aftermarket Parts
    • Safety / Energy / Security / Employee Comfort >
      • Energy Saving / Employee Comfort
      • Security Solutions
      • Safety Straps / Barrier Systems
      • Dock Lights & Communication Lights
      • Trailer Stands
    • Yeti Snow Removal
  • Markets
    • Food & Dairy
    • School Districts
    • General Contractors & Architects
  • Blog
  • Contact