Gambling in the workplace: Warning signs
Lisa Walker
Peer Support Worker
Betknowmore UK
Lisa Walker is a peer support worker for Betknowmore UK and runs the New Beginnings programme for women. Lisa is herself in long term recovery, and brings a wealth of lived experience, empathy and authenticity to the work she now does with the charity - supporting those affected by gambling related harm.
In the UK, more than 85% of businesses have drink and drugs work policies, but less than 5% have similar policies for gambling.
Gambling in the workplace: Warning signs
In the UK, more than 85% of businesses have drink and drugs work policies, but less than 5% have similar policies for gambling.
Businesses need to develop clear anti-gambling at work policies, as well as proactively supporting employees by providing information in the workplace so that employees can recognise the symptoms of harmful gambling early. Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe and healthy work environment. A workplace policy on gambling should be clear and available to all employees, making clear that the disclosure of a gambling problem will not lead to discrimination.
The 11 key warning signs of colleagues affected in the workplace:
- Disruptive patterns
- Lower quality of work
- Repeated absences
- Longer lunches
- Asking colleagues to provide cover
- Being secretive
- Shutting down computer screens when supervisors appear
- Borrowing money
- Asking for wage advances
- Irritability
- Poor concentration
Employers should also provide information and appropriate education to employees about how to gamble responsibly and provide employees with information and resources about gambling, with employees being made aware of the available support services if they or someone they care about is experiencing problems with gambling. Those needing to access support services should be helped to do this e.g. allowed an extended lunch hour once a week. Employers can check there are blocks on gambling websites and ensure there are no unsupervised computers in rest areas.
Management and HR departments also need to know how to have sensitive and difficult conversations.
Even when employers recognise harmful gambling, there is evidence of people being unwilling to admit to their gambling problems, leading to further negative consequences. There needs to be a business-wide culture of being supportive of good mental health.
Lisa Walker is a Peer Support Worker for Betknowmore UK and spoke on our Understanding Gambling Addiction in the Workplace panel at the March 2023 half-day conference.
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