Alcohol‐ and drug‐related absenteeism: a costly problem

• Main Authors: Ann Roche (Author), Ken Pidd (Author), Victoria Kostadinov (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2016-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1753-6405; 1326-0200; 10.1111/1753-6405.12414
• Keywords: substance use; absenteeism; workplace; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Vol 40, Iss 3, Pp 236-238 (2016)

Abstract Objective: Absenteeism related to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use can place a substantial burden on businesses and society. This study estimated the cost of AOD‐related absenteeism in Australia using a nationally representative dataset. Methods: A secondary analysis of the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (n=12,196) was undertaken. Two measures of AOD‐related absenteeism were used: participants' self‐reported absence due to AOD use (M1); and the mean difference in absence due to any illness/injury for AOD users compared to abstainers (M2). Both figures were multiplied by $267.70 (average day's wage in 2013 plus 20% on‐costs) to estimate associated costs. Results: M1 resulted in an estimation of 2.5 million days lost annually due to AOD use, at a cost of more than $680 million. M2 resulted in an estimation of almost 11.5 million days lost, at a cost of $3 billion. Conclusions: AOD‐related absenteeism represents a significant and preventable impost upon Australian businesses. Implications: Workplaces should implement evidence‐based interventions to promote healthy employee behaviour and reduce AOD‐related absenteeism.