If you think one of your colleagues has a gambling problem, you may feel reluctant to say something to the person involved. It is awkward to bring up personal issues in the workplace, and money is a particularly sensitive subject. However, it is possible to express your concern in a caring manner.
Gambling
Gambling is a popular form of recreation in Alberta. At work, it may mean playing the office pool, buying a raffle ticket, or dropping a few loonies into a video lottery terminal over the lunch hour. Most people who take part in these activities do not develop gambling problems.
Signs of problem gambling
For about 5% of adult Albertans, however, gambling is a problem. It may be an isolated case of overspending, or it may be an ongoing problem with continual losses and mounting debts. At the extreme end of this range is pathological gambling, where people are unable to control their gambling much as those addicted to alcohol are unable to control their drinking.
The negative effects of problem gambling can extend into the workplace. A problem gambler may be too distracted to focus on work. Work and other commitments may be scheduled in a way that accommodates the gambling or provides additional opportunities to gamble. The gambler may regularly take extended lunch hours, and may even use money from staff funds to gamble or cover debts.
Signs of a potential gambling problem are
- borrowing money frequently
- continually boasting about winnings
- complaining about debts more than usual
- experiencing drastic mood swings
- spending increasing amount of time gambling during lunch hours and after work
- making an unusually high number of personal telephone calls
- allowing work performance to deteriorate: being distracted, missing deadlines, having frequent or unexplained absences
- exhibiting personality changes: being irritable, secretive or dishonest
What can you do?
Before you express your concerns, it helps to be clear about your role. As a concerned colleague, you could simply share your observations with your co-worker. Don't try to diagnose the problem, provide advice, or expect any sign that your co-worker has accepted your expression of concern.
These tips may help you:
- Be clear, don't judge, and speak only for yourself.
I've been noticing changes in your work, and I am worried about you.
- Use work-related observations.
I see you coming in very late from lunch every day, too distracted to work all afternoon.
- Be positive.
Your work is usually so good, and you always meet your deadlines.
- Explain how the problem affects you.
I have had to finish two of your projects.
I had to cover up your absence last Monday afternoon.
- Be clear about your position.
I won't be covering up for you again, and I won't lend you any more money.
- Respect personal boundaries.
I don't want to pry into your life, but I had to let you know I am concerned.
- Provide information, not advice.
There is an AADAC pamphlet (called "When it's no longer a game...Problem Gambling") which might be of interest to you. It has the Gambling Help Line phone number inside...
- Be prepared for denial or a hostile reaction.
It must be uncomfortable to hear this. It's difficult for me to bring it up, too, but I am concerned about you.
Your co-worker's reaction to your remarks could range from gratitude to denial to open hostility. The outcome is difficult to predict. Your expression of concern might result in immediate action by the co-worker, or it might be one of several messages that eventually motivate your colleague to get help. Or it may have no noticeable effect at all.
Whatever your co-worker chooses to do, you have provided them with essential information and support.
AADAC provides information about problem gambling, and offers confidential counselling to problem gamblers and those who are concerned about them. Information and support are also available from Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and Gam-Anon. Check your telephone directory for listings or contact your local AADAC office to see if there is a group in your area.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, help is available. The 24-hour AADAC Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 (Alberta only) provides confidential information and support to people with gambling problems, and to those who are concerned about someone else's gambling.
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