What should I do if cannabis puts my job or training at risk?

If cannabis puts your job or training at risk, act early. Speak first with a counselling service or a workplace contact person, before problems become entrenched. Some employers have contact people or offers for employees and trainees with addiction problems. This article shows how to find these routes and what you can say in the conversation.

When your job or training is at risk

Not every use shows up at once in working life. It often starts with small changes: you arrive late, you are unable to concentrate, or you complete tasks worse than before. Absences, tiredness and irritability can also be signs. According to BIÖG, frequent cannabis use impairs concentration, which can lead to problems at school and in training. In vocational training, vocational school, exams and feedback from the training company weigh in addition.

• Appointments are missed, or tasks are left undone for longer.
• Concentration and performance noticeably decline.
• Conflicts in the team or with trainers pile up.
• You are absent more often, without it being clear why.
• You are at work or at vocational school under the influence of cannabis.

The last point is particularly delicate, because it concerns safety and duties. If you work in a role where concentration is safety-relevant, you should seek advice urgently.

Using workplace addiction counselling

Some employers have an internal contact person or an offer for workplace addiction counselling. Ask the HR department, the training management or the staff representatives. There the focus is on counselling, referral and sometimes support in conversations with superiors. The article Does workplace addiction counselling help with cannabis at work? explains the options in more detail.

If your employer is small, external addiction counselling near you helps. The DHS Suchthilfeverzeichnis shows services in your region and also lists the type of offer "Suchtberatung/-Prävention im Betrieb" (addiction counselling and prevention in the workplace). Ask the service how it handles confidentiality.

Preparing for the conversation with your superior

A conversation with a superior is easier when you know what you want to say. You do not have to disclose every detail. What matters is that you state your concern clearly and offer solutions, such as counselling, an appointment with your GP or a change to working conditions.

• Prepare a short sentence that names your concern.
• Consider what support you need.
• Note questions about deadlines, duties and consequences.
• Take a trusted person or a counsellor with you if you feel unsure.

The article How do I prepare for my first counselling session? shows how to prepare for a first session with a counselling service.

Classifying legal questions

What your employment contract or training regulations say about addiction problems is important in each individual case. We do not give binding advice on this. A trade union, an employee advice service or a specialist lawyer for employment law can help classify your situation. Take your contract and training documents to the appointment.

Road traffic: driving licence and job

Many jobs require a driving licence, and losing it can directly endanger the job. For road traffic, a limit of 3.5 ng/ml THC in blood serum applies (section 24a(1a) of the Road Traffic Act (StVG)). Anyone who breaks it must expect a fine. In the case of a fine under section 24a(1) to (2a) of the StVG, a driving ban is generally also to be imposed (section 25(1) of the StVG).

If you have already come to notice or are unsure which consequences threaten your driving licence, clarify this early with a counselling service or a specialist service. The driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) is responsible for formal questions and can tell you how the process continues.

Saving training: what is possible

In training, the exchange between the company, vocational school and counselling is especially important. The competent body, usually the chamber (Kammer) for skilled trades and industrial occupations, oversees vocational training and advises those involved. Under section 76(1) of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG), it must appoint advisers for this purpose. Speak early with the training counselling service if you have difficulties, and ask what options are available in your individual case.

Family and friends can also help if you want to structure your everyday life. The article What should I do if I use cannabis because of stress? describes how to recognise triggers that come up in working life.

When psychological strain is added

If use goes with fear, sleep problems or low moods, a conversation at work alone is often not enough. Then you should see a doctor. There you can also clarify whether a sick note or treatment makes sense. In acute danger or with thoughts of suicide, call the emergency number 112.

Common misunderstandings at work

"My boss doesn't notice this"

Changes in appointments, concentration and mood can be noticed in a team. The earlier you seek advice, the more options you have to decide for yourself how to proceed.

"I always have to disclose my use"

Whether and how you disclose something depends on your contract and your job. Counselling helps you weigh the limits of your openness before you cross them.

"The driving licence only matters privately"

A driving licence can also be a requirement at work, for example for journeys on behalf of the company. A loss can then have direct consequences for your job.

When the employer announces measures

If your employer announces a conversation or measures, ask for them in writing and get advice before you agree to anything. An employee advice service or a trade union can explain which steps are usual and permissible. Note the date, time and content of every conversation.

Coordinating training company and vocational school

In training, the company, vocational school and examination bodies work together. If you have problems, inform your trainers early and ask which body is responsible for support. The earlier those involved know, the easier it is to find solutions, for example with study time or an adjusted schedule. The training counselling service of the competent body can advise on this.

What you can do now

1. Note which consequences are already visible at work or in training.
2. Contact an addiction counselling service or the workplace contact person.
3. Prepare your conversation with your superior and consider what you want to disclose.
4. Clarify the consequences for your driving licence if your job requires one.

An overview of help and counselling is under Help and counselling. The article Does workplace addiction counselling help with cannabis at work? also describes counselling in the workplace.