A need for an employee assistance program in the hospitality industry to help alcoholic employees

Authors

Philip Joseph DeSousa, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Hospitality Management

First Advisor's Name

M. G. Kobasky

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

E. Bellucci

Keywords

Hotels -- United States -- Employees, Employee assistance programs -- United States, Alcoholism and employment

Date of Defense

3-1986

Abstract

1)Area of investigation

This hospitality project will cover Alcoholism in brief, available detoxification programs and the relative need for an Employee Assistance Program in the hospitality industry to help the alcoholic employee.

2)Materials and methods that were used

Existing texts, professional and trade journals, government documents, phone conversations with industry leaders and the author's own experience in dealing with alcoholic employees.

3) Major findings

a. There are an estimated 10 to 12 million problem drinkers (including alcoholics) in the adult (18 and over) population or approximately 8 percent of the 150 million adult.

b. Liver cirrhosis (caused by alcohol) ranked as the sixth most common cause of death in the U.5.

c. Alcohol abuse cost the U.S. $116.7 billion in 1903, consisting of $18 billion in lost production, $50.6 billion in reduced productivity, $17 billion in health and medical ii costs, $10 billion in motor vehicle accidents, $4 billion in violent crimes, $3 billion in racial responses and $2 billion in fire losses. (All $ amounts are approximate figures.)

d. The rate of alcoholism is on an increase,

e. As of 1985, there was only one major hospitality company with a program to help alcoholic employees.

f. In the production and service industry, troubled employees used 3 to 4 more times as many medical benefits that their co-workers.

g. Alcohol abuse has been overlooked and/or ignored and/or accepted in the hospitality industry.

4) Results and Conclusions

a. Alcoholism in the hospitality industry cannot be ignored or accepted or overlooked any longer.

b. The benefits to be derived from a good Employee Assistance Program for hospitality industry would be endless.

c. There is an urgent need in the hospitality industry for a program to help alcoholic employees respond to available treatment and return to productive lives.

Identifier

FI14062251

Recommended Citation

DeSousa, Philip Joseph, "A need for an employee assistance program in the hospitality industry to help alcoholic employees" (1986). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2781.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2781