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Problem gambling refers to any and all gambling behaviours which adversely affect any significant areas of a person’s life, including their mental health, their physical health, thir employment, their family relationships, and their financial and/or legal status.
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In the same way that society has now come to accept the fact that both drug abuse and alcohol abuse can affect not only the individual and the family but also the workplace, there has begun to be a recognition that an employer or an employee with an acute gambling problem may also have a devastating effect on the workplace. As gambling problems progress and a person becomes a compulsive (or “pathological” gambler) , the gambler may borrow money either from coworkers or from the business they own, or may commit illegal acts such as “borrowing” from the company (ie theft), fraud, and embezzlement in order to finance their uncontrollable gambling habit.
Administration, managers, supervisors, Human Resources personnel, and all employees should be made aware of how to recognize the “danger signs” of problem gambling and how to access resources to help these employees.
Remember:
- No one wants to be a pathological gambler.
- No one chooses to reach that stage of addiction.
- A compulsive gambler is in a state of DIS-ease, and needs help.
Problem Gambling and the Workplace
Work related signs of a problem with gambling may show up in the areas of job performance, time management, and financial responsibilies. Be especially alert when there are changes in behaviour, such as
Possible Performance signs
- Tasks frequently not completed or completed late
- Lack of concentration
- Decreased efficiency
- Late for or absent from meetings
- Excessive use of the phone
- Inattention or preoccupation
- Decrease in capability
Possible Time signs
- Chronically late for work
- Disappearances during the work day
- Extended lunch breaks or coffee breaks
- Unexplained absences from work
- Excessive use of sick days
Possible Financial signs
- Frequently borrows money from co-workers
- Bills are mailed to work, not the home address
- Frequently requests salary advances
- Readily accepts overtime, but for pay (not time off)
- Falsifies expense accounts
- Falsifies company books
- Steals from company funds
