One in five workers in Ireland struggle with illegal substance use - survey

One in five Irish workers struggle with illegal substance use, a new survey has found. Laya Healthcare’s new Workplace Wellbeing Index has uncovered some worrying trends about Irish employees. Out of 1,000 respondents, 40% said they are addicted to or have an unhealthy relationship with at least one substance.

Nicotine was the most prevalent, with 29% of workers saying they are addicted to the substance, while 21% said they have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Men aged 24 and under are more likely to struggle with addiction, along with those who have a disability or health condition.

The survey showed that senior managers are also more likely to report unhealthy relationships with substances compared to those in more junior roles. Other addictions that are impacting workers include social media, with 33% saying they have an unhealthy relationship with the online world.

One in five said they are addicted to pornography or sex, with 19% struggling with gambling issues. Some 30% said they are addicted or have an unhealthy relationship with work.

READ MORE: Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch released from prison on bail in Lanzarote after handing over €100k

READ MORE: Conor McGregor in court: LIVE updates from damages case as woman claims alleged assault

Sinéad Proos, Head of Health & Wellbeing at Laya Healthcare, said employers need to recognise that addiction is a serious issue impacting Irish workplaces. She added: “While these results are concerning, they also present a valuable opportunity for employers to prioritise employee wellbeing.

“By fostering a supportive culture and providing access to resources like counselling and employee assistance programs, we can support and empower employees to make the first steps towards improving their health and wellbeing.”

Half of those surveyed also reported living with an underlying health condition or mental wellbeing issue. Anxiety and depression are the most commonly cited conditions, with 10% of Irish employees having a diagnosis of depression.

The data reveals that there is a disconnect between employees and their organisations when it comes to mental wellbeing. Some 54% of those with a health condition or disability said they would be embarrassed to speak to their employer about it.

Half of those living with a mental health condition said they fear they would be treated differently if they disclosed it to their employer. Ms Proos emphasised the need for improved communication.

She said: “Employers and employees need to communicate more openly about health conditions and disabilities. Not having a diagnosis or feeling unable to discuss needed support can cause unnecessary stress and hardship for team members. It’s crucial that organisations prioritise clear communication about health and wellbeing resources, making them easily accessible so employees can get the support they deserve.”

The Index also asked respondents if they are neurodivergent, and 15% reported that they live with a neurodiverse condition.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is the most common, affecting 7% of respondents, followed by autism (4%) and dyslexia (3%). However, many neurodiverse employees lack a formal diagnosis, with only 43% of those with autism, 39% with ADHD, and 49% with dyslexia having received an official diagnosis.

While working from home was the norm during the Covid-19 pandemic, the index found there has been a shift back to office work. Only 10% of employees now work remotely full-time, compared to 26% working hybrid and 64% working on-site full-time.

Some 200 HR professionals were surveyed for the report and half reported increasing the number of office-based days in the last year. Over half said more days in the office has had a positive impact on collaboration and productivity, while 41% said it has contributed positively to staff wellbeing.

However, the "always on" culture persists for many employees, according to the survey. Thirty-seven percent said they are regularly contacted outside of work hours via email, WhatsApp on personal numbers, and personal phones.

Laya said this highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining work-life balance for Irish employees, despite the right to disconnect.

In 2021, former Tánaiste Leo Varadkar signed into Employment Law that employees have the right to switch off outside of normal working hours, including the right to not respond immediately to emails, telephone calls or other messages.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.