How to Report Drug Abuse in the Workplace

By Juanita King, eHow.com Contributor

There is evidence of drug abuse when a coworker comes to work smelling of liquor, makes too many trips to the restroom or smells of marijuana during work hours. Another indicator that an employee abuses drugs is arriving to work late with a litany of excuses that no one believes anymore. If as her supervisor or coworker, you discuss her drug problem with her, but nothing changes, reporting her behavior to personnel may be the only solution.

Instructions

1. When you’re the manager of an employee whom you suspect abuses drugs while at work, talk to him. Let him know that the company is drug free and that drug use is unacceptable. Try to get him to seek help on his own. If that doesn’t work, insist that he enter the company’s drug rehabilitation program. If his behavior remains unchanged, let him know that you’re going to report him to personnel and that he might lose his job if he doesn’t accept help.

2. Observe your coworker’s behavior if you suspect that she suffers from drug abuse. Document those actions that you think relate to using drugs and report your findings to the human resources department. Report only the behaviors that you’ve witnessed.

3. Tell your immediate supervisor if you believe that a coworker is taking drugs at work. Write down dates and times of the incidents; also record if you smell liquor or marijuana on the person. If you don’t feel comfortable handing over your notes, tell your supervisor only what you’ve observed.

4. Call your company’s anonymous hotline. A number of corporations provide a hotline that their employees are allowed to call anonymously during or after work hours. This is a perfect way to help your coworker if you’re uncomfortable confronting her for fear of retaliation. Just call the hotline and make sure that your number is untraceable.

5. Telephone the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP’s accept calls over their hotline through a number that’s available 24 hours a day; you can call at your convenience to report any person taking alcohol or drugs at work. You don’t need to inform your supervisor or anyone else when you place a call to EAP’s hotline.

Read more here: http://www.ehow.com/how_5754805_report-drug-abuse-workplace.html