Background:

Chemical dependency is considered a serious public health problem and has a direct impact on all aspects of the addict's life, including work.

Aim:

To investigate possible work implications resulting from chemical dependence, from the perception of representatives of human resources of companies, as well as to identify strategies and procedures adopted by the employer in front of these employees.

Methods:

Descriptive and exploratory research with a qualitative approach. Five companies located in the interior of the State of São Paulo participated. For data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire was applied and content analysis was performed.

Results:

There was a limited understanding of chemical dependency as a disease, favoring attitudes of prejudice regarding the working capacities of the chemical dependent, making it difficult to enter, maintain and return to work.

Conclusions:

Need for prevention and monitoring programs by companies, integration of health services with companies and a multiprofessional approach to tackle the problem.

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