Addiction prevention at work: alcohol, medication, cannabis
Most companies only notice the topic when a case arises – and then there is no plan. If you settle beforehand what applies, who speaks to the person and where they are referred, you take the pressure off managers and give the people affected a way back. At the core are three things: a written rule, a step-by-step plan for conversations and a counselling service whose number everyone knows. Professionals provide the specialist advice; the company makes sure the way there is known.
What belongs in the rule?
The basis is DGUV Regulation 1, Section 15 (German Social Accident Insurance; German law): nobody may put themselves into a state through alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants in which they endanger themselves or others; this also applies to medication. The German Cannabis Act of 2024 has not changed this (German law). Write down what applies in your company and what happens when someone is visibly unable to work safely. If there is a works council, agree the rule with it.
What does the manager do?
They raise what they see: absences, mistakes, a change in behaviour. They make no diagnosis. The step-by-step plan sets out who holds which conversation, who attends and which help is offered. Training gives managers confidence for these conversations.
What does it cost, and who helps?
You draw up the rule and inform employees yourself. Costs arise mainly for training managers. Addiction counselling services usually advise free of charge; some also train managers in companies. You will find providers of addiction counselling and training in the marketplace.
How do you put the measure in place?
- 1Clarify the rule: DGUV Regulation 1, Section 15(2) (German law), in writing, with the works council where there is one
- 2Name an internal contact person and choose an external addiction counselling service
- 3Train managers: address behaviour, do not diagnose, hold conversations according to a step-by-step plan
- 4Tell everyone where to get help confidentially and, if they wish, anonymously
Plan, invite, measure participation: EasyWHP, which offers WHPCompass free of charge, sets this measure up as a project, invites the workforce and shows how many people take part. How a measure runs in EasyWHP →
What do you need for it?
- Effort
- half a day
- Cost
- with budget
- Duration
- 8 weeks to set up, then ongoing
- Setup
- 480 min
- ✓ A written rule instead of case-by-case decisions
- ✓ Managers know how to raise what they notice
- ✓ Everyone knows a confidential route to help
- ✓ An addiction counselling service provides the specialist advice
Tax and health insurance: what is possible
Employer health benefits can be tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — if they are provided in addition to the salary already owed and are either certified (§ 20 SGB V) or implemented within the company's health promotion process. Gym memberships and corporate fitness are not covered. For ZPP-certified courses (e.g. from Upfit), German statutory health insurers can reimburse all or part of the course fee to their insured members — then only the amount exceeding that reimbursement is tax-free. Projects within the company can be funded under § 20b SGB V, with no entitlement. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
Health insurance and tax: how to proceed →How it works in EasyWHP
This Best Practice in EasyWHP: adopt it, adapt it, measure the effect
Once adopted, the measure is ready in EasyWHP — with instructions, an invitation and surveys before and after. You adapt what fits your company and see at the end what it achieved.
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Adopt it for your company
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Addiction Prevention →A fitting occasion
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