How to deal with alco­hol problems at the workplace?

Even in these times of coro­na­vi­rus it is well to remem­ber: alco­hol is a real killer in Finland and the source of endless problems in working life. And it is not an occa­sio­nal pande­mic, it is a never ending problem.

17.6.2020

In 2018, a total of 1,683 persons died of alco­hol-rela­ted disea­ses and alco­hol poiso­nings, accor­ding to Statis­tics Finland. Out of these, 1,269 were men and 414 women. And these figu­res only include direct deaths caused by alco­hol use.

Unfor­tu­na­tely, alco­hol has a nega­tive effect on human health in many other ways, too, like the higher risk of cancer.

Work and alco­hol are not a winning combi­na­tion. Industrial work today, in particu­lar, demands a sharp mind and precise hand. There are seve­ral ways to confront and dimi­nish alco­hol-rela­ted problems at workplaces, either by official means or through less formal interventions.

Some­ti­mes a direct ques­tion from a collea­gue can help, says Marjut Lumi­järvi, the Health, Safety and Envi­ron­ment Officer at the Finnish Industrial Union in an article in Finnish in this magazine.

– A majo­rity of those who stop­ped drin­king, said in a certain survey that their first impulse to stop was down to the simple ques­tion of a collea­gue: Is everyt­hing fine with you?

To remain silent when seeing a collea­gue figh­ting with problems is not caring.

PLAN AND TREAT

On the formal side the law stipu­la­tes that measu­res must to be taken to predict and prevent health risks in the workplace. One way to do it is to draft a drug and alco­hol abuse preven­tion plan.

The plan sets guide­li­nes for the workplace to prevent and solve problems caused by alco­hol and drug use. It desc­ri­bes the goals, prac­tices, actions and the divi­sion of respon­si­bi­li­ties when it comes to subs­tance use preven­tion and refer­ral for treatment.

This plan is not obli­ga­tory, but trade unions recom­mend draf­ting it. In 2019, SAK, the Cent­ral Orga­ni­sa­tion of Finnish Trade Unions conduc­ted a survey for shop stewards.

Three out of four of those who respon­ded from industry said their workplace did have a plan. And 71 per cent said that there have been alco­hol-rela­ted problems at their work place.

The preven­tion plan beco­mes obli­ga­tory, as requi­red by law, should an emplo­yer deem it neces­sary to request drug tests for employees.

To have the preven­tion plan makes the rules clear for every­one in the workplace. It explains what to do if someone is coming to work clearly intoxica­ted. And how to manage a problem head on. Also, ulti­ma­tely, to offer help to the emplo­yee with a problem.

An impor­tant part of the system is refer­ral for treat­ment (hoitoo­noh­jaus). This is a proce­dure, whereby the occu­pa­tio­nal health care or mana­ger tries to guide a person with problems through treatment.

It aims to sustain the ability to work and help people at the same time. Natu­rally, this will work better if the person seeks treat­ment volun­ta­rily. If one refuses, and the problem conti­nues, the workplace must then intervene.

The union shop steward and occu­pa­tio­nal safety and health repre­sen­ta­tive can also help in these matters, confidentially.

TEXT HEIKKI JOKINEN
ILLUSTRATION TUOMAS IKONEN