Retail employees are everywhere: grocery stores, jewelry stores, malls, electronic stores, fashion boutiques and bookstores. These employees hold titles such as, Cashier, Store Managers, Key Holder, Sales Associate, Visual Merchandiser, Stock Associate, Inventory Manager, among others. The Retail Industry makes up a large portion of America’s workforce due to its broad range of positions and company types. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, drug use costs employers between $75 billion and $100 billion each year in lost time, accidents, health care and workers’ compensation costs.
Rates of substance abuse among workers employed in several different areas of retail are as follows:
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Retail employees are responsible for representing the company as the often first line of connection between staff and the customer. These employees are trusted with the company reputation, money and inventory on a daily basis. Retail employees using and abusing drugs and alcohol are putting the entire business at risk.
A Federal government survey revealed workplace substance abuse is a significant problem in the retail industry. Among full-time retail employees between the ages of 18 and 49:
Rates of substance abuse among retail workers compared to other industries:
Drug Abuse: Retail Employees 18-64 |
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Retail Industry (%) |
All Industries Average (%) |
Illicit Drug Use |
9.4 |
8.2 |
Heavy Alcohol Use |
8.8 |
8.8 |
Illicit Drug Dependence or Abuse |
3.1 |
2.6 |
Alcohol Dependence or Abuse |
9.1 |
9.2 |