Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace (a division of the U.S. Department of Labor) has identified the top reasons drug-free programs fail. You may wish to benchmark your program against these.
Working Partners says that drug-free workplace programs fail for these nine reasons:
1. The program isn’t tied into the organization’s safety plan since OSHA doesn’t require it. Incorporating the drug-free program into a safety plan sends a clear signal to workers that you’re serious about substance abuse. Because the Human Resources department often oversees drug programs, linking substances and safety can require connecting the right people.
2. The policy exists on paper, but no one knows what it says. Without a widely understood policy, you don’t have a program. Policy details should be openly discussed, as should the impact of drug use on business. Employees should have a chance to ask questions and should be required to sign an "acknowledgment of receipt" form.
3. There is a misconception that once a policy is in place, it’s too late to change it. A drug-free policy is not written in stone and should evolve to meet changing needs. Enforcement should be consistent, while affording you flexibility in managing specific situations. Policies should be reviewed periodically to see what’s working and what needs fixing.
4. Employees consider drug testing invasive and won’t go for it. In fact, testing protects the company and contributes to an employee’s job security and personal safety, says Working Partners. Many unions support the practice when it is implemented with procedures that ensure the integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of test results, and when it provides opportunities for workers to get help and keep their jobs.
5. Employers believe that if applicants are drug-tested, no one will ever be hired. If the level of drug use at your workplace is that high, you’re already at risk for increased absenteeism and medical costs and lower productivity. Says Working Partners: "No company has ever gone out of business because it could not find drug-free applicants." The organization urges employers to promote their programs and to communicate that testing is a condition of employment. "Nonusers will find you and appreciate the safety and security of staying on your payroll."
Try a demo of BLR’s remarkable new Employee Training Center at no cost or obligation.
6. Employers say testing doesn’t really improve safety since it only reveals use, not impairment. The cost of preventing an incident from occurring is typically 10 times less than costs related to a drug- or alcohol-related accident. Positive drug tests that show recent use have become de facto legal evidence of impairment, according to Working Partners. And courts have sided with employers that take disciplinary action against employees who test positive, especially when safety is involved. Policies should prohibit employees from reporting to work with detectable levels of drugs in their system, not just "working under the influence."
7. Employers wonder why they should bother to test when employees can cheat the test. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says that good labs can beat the cheaters by testing for adulteration, substitution, or other schemes. When choosing a lab, make sure it has this capability, and ask for documentation that these services are offered.
8. Management believes EAPs and other types of assistance are luxuries they can’t afford. In fact, studies suggest that Employee Assistant Programs save money by helping to reduce turnover, absenteeism, and healthcare costs, and by increasing productivity. They also provide a means of early intervention and treatment.
9. Employees don’t trust EAPs and think they are a way to get rid of problem workers. Employees should be informed that EAPs are staffed by trained professionals who provide confidential services. They make organizations safer and more productive, which benefits everyone.
Unlimited training—one low cost. Demo the new Employee Training Center There’s no cost or obligation.
Online Safety Training 24/7
Whether it’s substance abuse training for employees as part of your drug-free workplace program or any other kind of safety and health training that you need, and need right now, BLR’s Employee Training Center is there for you every day, all day (and all night, too, for your shiftworkers).
Unlike many training solutions available on the market today, BLR® courses are routinely reviewed and updated to reflect changes in federal regulations or best practices. Each training course is developed by BLR lawyers, industry experts, and instructional designers who have experience across a wealth of industries, topics, and compliance areas.
Courses keep participants interested with engaging audio, built-in exercises, and key points to remember. At the completion of every course, individuals take a quiz designed to test for competency in all the course material presented. Quiz results and course completion times are automatically recorded.
Every course can be tailored with supporting and custom documents. BLR provides supporting documents for courses that include complete slide show notes and the answer key for the included quiz. As the administrator, you have the option of displaying uploaded documents and requiring review before the session begins. This is especially useful for company policies or worksite-specific information. Supporting materials can be added, edited, or removed at any time.
With only a few minutes’ setup, your company will have a complete Web-based training program with professionally developed courses, employee testing capabilities, and systematic documentation of employee training sessions and scores. And remember, BLR® Employee Training Center courses can be delivered at individual employee desks, in computer centers, at training kiosks, or even in a classroom.
No wonder BLR Employee Training Center was named "Best Workforce Training Solution" by the Software Information Industry Association. It can help you launch a cost-effective and successful employee training program.
We urge you to sign up for a no-obligation demo by visiting the new Employee Training Center. Or, feel free to call our customer service representatives toll-free at 866-696-4827.
PingBack from http://topsy.com/safetydailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2010/06/29/safety_management_drug_free_workplace_program.aspx?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2