The other COVID safety concern: Workplace impairment
The pandemic has worsened many underlying causes of workplace impairment, including drug and alcohol use, fatigue, and chronic stress. Some sobering statistics:
- 54% of essential workers said they relied on unhealthy habits to get through the COVID crisis.
- 1 in 4 adults reported drinking more during the past year to manage their stress.
- Alcohol and marijuana sales rose by as much as 44% in the early months of Oregon’s lockdown.
Diagnosing impairment is difficult, especially when many employees are still working remotely. Here are some ways employers can help:
Focus on behavior. Be aware of changes in work performance such as consistent lateness, absenteeism, or reduced productivity. Review expectations regularly and address problems as soon as they arise.
Show compassion and sensitivity. Make sure workers are aware of available resources, including an employee assistance plan, mental health benefits, and substance abuse supports.
Offer flexibility, when possible. For an employee with disrupted sleep due to competing work-life demands, flexible work hours may be a better solution than a sleep hygiene class.
|