Alcoholic workers a hangover for city
Substance abuse, particularly alcoholism, continues to be a pressing problem for South African employers trying to keep their workers healthy and productive. A report has revealed that substance abuse was the main reason employees of the City of Cape Town were referred to its employee assistance programme from July last year to April, making up 16.13% of 1,190 total referrals.Employees who abuse substances often take "prolonged periods of planned and unplanned leave" and cause "reduced morale" among their colleagues, the report by the city reads.In 2013 the city estimated that 10% of its 27,000 staff had addiction problems.Mayoral committee member for corporate services and compliance Xanthea Limberg declined to provide a current figure.Alcohol "remains a major substance of use" for the current financial year, said Limberg, with the use of tik declining.Many people drink as a coping mechanism, said Colette Rodrigues, head of Insight Employee Specialists, a company that provides employee assistance.Companies are increasingly implementing policies like breathalyser tests at the workplace to make sure employees are not under the influence, she said...
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