How to spot if one of your employees has a problem

Peter Kay, the chief executive of the Sporting Chance Clinic, says there are various telltale signs to look out for which could indicate that one of your colleagues or employees has a problem with drink or drugs. These include:

• Unexplained mood swings.
• Outbursts of anger and defiance when questioned about usage.
• Paranoia - some users feel that they're being persecuted or that people are out to get them.
• Loss in standard of hygiene.
• Sleeping in and late for work.
• Angry and confrontational if kept later than they anticipated.
• Anxious to leave work (before the bars shut).
• Unexplained theft, such as stock loss from the bar.
• Unusual amount of alcohol ordered for cooking.
• Close relationships between bar staff and chefs.
• Forgetful and unfocused, failing to remember simple tasks such as meat or fish order, or locking the kitchen or closing fridges after work.
• People who owe money to other staff members.
• Anger and reluctance to attend alcohol and drug seminars if laid on by management.
• Severe upward improvement in mood if returning to work after a break or split shift.
• Phoning in sick on regular basis, more often than not on Mondays.
• Blaming others for mistakes.

However, Kay stresses that if you do suspect that a friend or colleague may be suffering from alcohol or drug abuse, and you want to help them, there are some telltale signs that can confirm whether your suspicions are founded. But don't broach the subject with the individual without asking the Ark or another support group for advice first.