Workplace Challenges
Alarming trend in addiction problemsEconomic booms produce a lot of positive effects, many of which we're benefiting from right across Canada today. |
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 [ 2007-06-13 ] |
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Unemployment is the lowest it's been in more than a generation, personal wealth and the ability to purchase goods and services is rising and this, in turn, is keeping businesses of all shapes and sizes in good financial shape.
But not everything that comes with a boom is good.
A new study on the health and well-being of working Albertans is showing almost twice the national rate of reporting addiction problems and substance abuse issues through employee assistance programs.
Shepell-fgi, one of Canada's leading workplace health services, released the study late last month and, while its findings aren't surprising given Alberta's place on top of the boom, they're alarming nonetheless.
"We are seeing a very unusual trend here, and it is likely linked with Alberta's sudden growth," says Rod Phillips, Shepell-fgi's chief executive. "We are seeing a number of people coming to this province for great jobs and great opportunities -- but at the same time they are under a lot of stress and don't have their normal support systems available."
His company's latest research shows that Albertans accessed employee assistance programs for help with addiction problems at a rate of 2% for alcohol abuse -- nearly twice the national rate. Addiction problems with illicit drugs were also much higher than the national average, the study found.
"This is not necessarily negative news," Phillips says. "People are seeking treatment either for themselves or a family member -- they are reaching out to get the help they need and that is a very positive sign."
Again, not surprising, it's young men who are falling into the alcohol and drug abuse trap. But what makes this boom a little different is that more young men are seeking help -- a radical shift in the young, male attitude towards substance abuse.
Shepell-fgi's research found that men under 30 are 7% more likely to seek help than in the rest of Canada. Overall, men in Alberta are 10% more likely to seek help than in other parts of the country.
"We're also seeing that a quarter of those seeking help from their employee assistance provider have been with their company for less than a year. That's a significantly higher rate than in other provinces," says Paula Allen, Shepell-fgi's vice-president of health solutions and research.
"This really shows that provinces like Alberta are unique -- and their health issues must be addressed at a regional level," she says. "There is truly no 'head office answer' to keep these employees healthy and happy."
Shepell-fgi will be releasing more information from its study -- a report that looks at the health of employees region by region -- later this month.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety says that substance abuse in the workplace costs the economy billions of dollars every year in production-related issues and can result in accidents and even death on the job.
The federal agency says that employers and employees should collaborate to design workplace policies that outline what is an acceptable code of behaviour and what is not.
"By establishing or promoting programs such as an Employee Assistance Program, employers can help troubled employees more directly or provide referrals to community services," the agency says.
In addition, managers and supervisors should be educated in how to recognize and deal with substance abuse issues and employees should be offered educational programs.
P.J. Harston is Sun Media's National Business Editor. Reach him by e-mail at Pj.harston@sunmedia.ca, read more of his columns on Canoe's Money website or on his blog at blog.canoe.ca/funbiz.
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