Workplace alcoholism awareness training is valuable for supervisors, managers, and HR professionals who must recognize impairment and respond fairly. Employees who want to support coworkers benefit too. It matters most where alcohol misuse could cause injuries, such as around machinery or vehicles. The 14-minute video is available in English, Spanish and French.

Alcoholism can be a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so employers may need to accommodate treatment, such as leave for rehabilitation. However, employers may prohibit alcohol use at work. They may hold employees with alcoholism to the same performance and conduct standards as everyone else. Being impaired on the job is not protected.

Signs of alcohol abuse at work include frequent absences, especially on Mondays, late arrivals, and declining work quality. Physical clues include the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady walking, and bloodshot eyes. Mood swings, conflicts with coworkers, and more accidents or near misses are behavioral warning signs worth documenting.

A supervisor should address suspected on-the-job drinking privately and focus on specific, observed behavior and work performance, not on diagnosing alcoholism. Follow company policy, involve HR, and remove the employee from safety-sensitive work if impaired. Respond with empathy, and point the employee toward the employee assistance program or other confidential support.

An employee assistance program, or EAP, helps employees with alcoholism through confidential assessment, short-term counseling, and referrals to treatment. Many EAPs also support family members. Encouraging early use of the EAP can help an employee recover before drinking leads to injuries, discipline, or job loss.