Drug use in the workplace: Only one in ten logistics companies feels the effects
According to a survey by the Logistics Hall of Fame in cooperation with the SCHUNCK GROUP, the majority of companies in the logistics sector rate the risk of suffering harm from the consumption of alcohol or cannabis in the workplace as low to very low.
Since the implementation of the Cannabis Act on April 1, 2024, German adults have been permitted to possess and cultivate cannabis under specific conditions. However, the concerns of many employers regarding potential negative impacts on employee performance and workplace safety due to excessive consumption seem unfounded nearly six months later. This is also true for the logistics sector.
According to the latest Logistics Hall of Fame Trend Survey conducted in collaboration with the SCHUNCK GROUP, nearly three-quarters of all transport and logistics companies assess their risk of financial loss due to employee cannabis or alcohol consumption as low to very low. Only one in ten companies has reported experiencing such financial losses.
When asked about the risks that currently pose the greatest threat to the global logistics industry, cybercrime (75 percent) ranked first, as in previous surveys of this series. Following closely were a shortage of skilled workers (62 percent) and political risks (43.8 percent), with supply chain disruptions coming in at 31.3 percent. Panel participants could select up to three risks.
While the survey suggests that drug use has not yet posed significant problems for most companies, Thomas Wicke, Managing Director of the SCHUNCK GROUP, advises businesses to proactively address the issue now. "We are merely at the outset of cannabis legalization in Germany, and future developments are uncertain," he emphasizes. "It is crucial for every company to take proactive steps now, informing employees about the drug's effects and associated consequences in a timely manner. Clear guidelines will ensure transparency in this matter," he says.
The survey indicates that numerous logistics companies have already implemented preventive measures. Seventy-five percent of respondents reported having established company regulations and work instructions, while 62.5 percent utilize training and education programs. Half of the companies indicated that dismissals are a consequence of repeated or severe violations of company policies. Only one in five companies conducts random checks during working hours.
The survey, involving a panel of executive C-level representatives from the Logistics Hall of Fame network and the SCHUNCK GROUP, is conducted periodically on various topics. It provides a snapshot of current industry sentiment and does not claim to be statistically representative.
