A new report reveals that one-in-five (22 per cent) people in the UK believe their employer would terminate their contract if they admitted to a drug or alcohol problem*.
In the “Attitudes to Addiction report”, which was created to open up a public conversation about addiction issues and how others can support those affected; 19 per cent of men said they thought they would be handed their P45 if they revealed they had an addiction to drugs or alcohol, compared to 26 per cent of women.
It appears that this perception is also putting people off seeking help – 36 per cent of those surveyed said they would not get professional help for fear it would hinder future job prospects.
Recent data has shown that 1.3 per cent of the adult population are alcohol dependent, if this is accurate it would mean a significant amount of people would be dismissed from their current roles.
So, what are the rules around this issue? Interestingly, businesses reserve the right to set their own policies and guidelines. However, almost a quarter (24 per cent) of those surveyed said they didn’t know what their employer’s rules were or how they would react.
The survey also revealed:
16-24 year-olds were the least optimistic when it came to suggesting what their employer would do if they admitted to an addiction – 31 per cent would expect the boot. Those 55+ were most likely to keep their addiction support a secret (14 per cent). Almost half (49per cent) of people aged 55+ were the least worried about an addiction impacting future job prospects. Twenty-four per cent of 16-24 year-olds thought their employers would put them on a final warning if they admitted to suffering from an addiction.
Martin Preston, Port of Call founder, commented on the report findings:
Most people who call us are in full-time employment and don’t want their employer to know they have an addiction problem, often for fear of losing their job. Addiction is a shame-based illness and people can have a fear of being ‘found out’. We also take calls from employers who are trying to help a colleague, and often, even those with large HR and people teams are unclear about what the firm’s stance really is.
Most organisations have a zero- tolerance policy around alcohol and drug use, which they require for health and safety, yet rarely have awareness of, or access to, specialist addiction treatment services. Some firms, thankfully, are more progressive and we’re retained by a number of larger employers who genuinely want to help their people. If you’re employing more than ten people, addiction is an issue that you’re almost certain to encounter.
*released by addiction help and support service Port of Call
Interested in workplace wellbeing? We recommend the Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Forum 2019
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
Circa 20% expect to be dismissed – but the key question is, would they be ?
A more interesting statistic would be what proportion of those employees disclosing a drug/drink addiction actually were dismissed ? – it may be a vastly different figure (in either direction) but of infinitely more value.