Why Behavioral Addiction is an Issue in the Workplace
Behavioral addiction is similar to substance addiction in that a person develops an unhealthy relationship with an act, which in substance addiction is the use of drugs or alcohol. Behavioral addiction can be an addiction that forms certain behaviors that can include internet, gambling, sex, video game, and food addiction among others. The person forms an unhealthy dependence on the act or action that can have far-reaching implications in their life and the workplace.
Employers should be aware of the effects that a detrimental behavioral addiction can have on employees and the workplace. Mental health in the workplace is important as thousands of people suffer from untreated mental health disorders including behavioral addiction. Whether a person suffers from a social media addiction, internet addiction, food addiction, or masturbation addiction among others, getting professional help for their addiction can help them to improve their life and mental well-being.
Union First is your mental health ally in the workplace. Our employee assistance program is aimed at helping employees with mental health treatment and advocacy among other important services. As a Union First member, you will get the help you need to be able to find the best behavioral addiction treatment so that you can free yourself from the dangers and restrictions of addiction and create a foundation for future growth and sustainability.
Mental health is still a subject that is stigmatized in the workplace. Union First works closely with its members and their employers to ensure that light is shed on the difficulties that people face with substance and behavioral addiction. Become a Union First member today to take advantage of our robust employee assistance program for mental health treatment and mental wellness.
Click here for job protection & behavioral health, call Union First today at (855) 215-2023.
Impacts of Behavioral Addiction in the Workplace
Every type of behavioral addiction has its own risks in the workplace. We will explore some of the common impacts of behavioral addiction in the workplace to better understand the need for professional behavioral addiction treatment and how Union First plays an important role in the life of employees.
Employee safety is a concern because addictive behavior can lead to irrational thinking and actions. When the work involves heavy machinery or any duty that may lead to dangerous outcomes if the person is being negatively influenced by their behavioral addiction, it can be an employee safety concern and may even result in the loss of life among other serious outcomes.
Employee morale is another point of concern. Addiction can lead to absenteeism at a far higher rate and as a person is absent more often, it can not only hamper their performance but can lead to a morale loss as people feel unfairly treated compared to others. When a person doesn’t show up for work, other employees have to pick up their slack and are unlikely to be compensated for their efforts.
Public relations and negative press can be another impact of behavioral addiction in the workplace. For example, public relations will be strained if someone in a position of power within a company were to be caught performing lewd acts at work or in any similar situation. Negative press can be disastrous for a company and can lead to job losses, significant litigation fees, and even bankruptcy if public trust is lost.
Theft is another potential issue. While it is more common with substance use disorder in order for people to sustain their habits, other behavioral addictions such as gambling addiction can lead a person to steal from the company in order to support their gambling addiction. Theft can go unnoticed for months or even years and lead to a significant impact on the company’s performance.
There can also be an internal conflict between employees and employers due to behavioral addictions in the workplace. Since addiction affects the way a person’s brain functions, it alters behavior, thinking, and emotions. It can lead to irrational arguments between employees and employers – with potentially highly-charged emotions, there may even be physical violence as a result of arguments.
Ways to Address Behavioral Addiction in the Workplace
Uncovering potential behavioral addiction can leave you wondering what the best steps to take are to resolve the situation. If you are worried that you might have a behavioral addiction then there are signs that you can look for to help you.
Some of the signs of behavioral addiction include becoming reliant on the act or behavior to cope or to feel normal. Neglecting your work responsibilities and spending a great deal of time engaging in the behavior, recovering from it, or thinking about it are signs of addiction. Trying to slow down or stop the behavior but being unable to can be another clear sign of a problem. Hiding the behavior from others and continuing the behavior even though there are negative consequences to your health or mental well-being are further signs.
While it’s more difficult to uncover an addiction in an employee or co-worker, if you think that there might be a behavioral addiction that is negatively affecting their lives and the lives of those around them, then there are steps that you can take to address the situation. If you think there is a behavioral addiction present you should speak to an HR representative or superior in a private manner. Share your concerns and evidence that led you to your conclusion. It’s important to go through the right channels instead of trying to force the issue directly.
If you fear that you may have a behavioral addiction, then you can speak to a superior or HR representative. Union First can also help you. By being a member of our employee assistance program, we will help you to find the best behavioral addiction treatment in your area, ensure that the right steps are taken with your employer, and help to secure your job while you seek professional treatment for your behavioral addiction.
Union First Can Help Address Behavioral Addiction
Our employee assistance program is aimed at helping employees with behavioral health treatment and advocacy in the workplace. We have several important services that include job protection while undergoing behavioral therapy and treatment to ensure that our members have the job security to pursue the mental healthcare they deserve.
We also have behavioral health treatment placement services which help our members to get the best treatment for behavioral addiction near them that matches not only their recovery needs but their budget and insurance plan. Union First handles each case individually so you can be sure you will get the attention that your situation deserves. We advocate for our members in the workplace to bring light to the struggles of mental health in the workplace.
Union First also provides you with access to telehealth so you can get professional therapy wherever you happen to be. We also provide robust training modules to help with fundamental skills in life and the workplace.
Reach out to Union First today to become a member or to find out more about our employee assistance program with a focus on behavioral health.