Benefits of a Drug Free Workplace Program
A Drug Free Workplace Program is a sound investment that helps companies maintain safe and productive workplaces. Here’s a closer look at how a Drug Free Workplace Program can help protect your company and your employees.
Increased Productivity
Studies show that an employee with a substance abuse problem functions at only 67 percent of his or her potential capacity. Unfortunately, this decrease in productivity doesn’t just affect the individual with the problem — it affects the entire company. An effective Drug Free Workplace Program helps employers make better hiring and retention decisions by giving them a method for detecting and dealing with employee substance abuse. Time and again, implementing a Drug Free Workplace Program has proven to be a great investment for employers. Companies have reported productivity gains valued at tens, and sometimes hundreds, of thousands of dollars.
Decreased Risk of Injury, Violence and Litigation
Numerous studies show strong correlations between employee substance abuse and workplace violence and accidents. Often someone other than the substance abuser gets injured or killed in substance abuse-related workplace incidents. Consider the following:
- 47 percent of workplace accidents are drug- or alcohol-related, according to Occupational Medicine.
- In nearly 80 percent of drug-related workplace injuries, the injured party is an innocent bystander, according to OSHA.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that violence is the fourth leading cause of occupational injuries in the U.S.
By implementing a Drug Free Workplace Program, a company can significantly decrease the likelihood for workplace accidents and violence. Companies with Drug Free Workplace Programs are also able to better defend their safety record if faced with a lawsuit.
Various Test Types
Employers can choose from a variety of test types to build a program of detection and deterrence that works best for their businesses. It’s important to discuss your program options with an experienced drug and alcohol program administrator as some test types are restricted or regulated by state law. Available test types include:
- Pre-Employment — Pre-employment testing sends a strong message to applicants: Drug Users Need Not Apply. When employers use this type of testing, prospective employees must have a non-negative test result on file before beginning work.
- Periodic/Annual — Periodic tests are announced and scheduled in advance, thus giving employees the opportunity to prepare for them.
- Post-Accident/Incident — A post-accident test is conducted when an employee is involved in an on-the-job accident/incident possibly involving human error that results in a fatality, serious injury or property damage. The employer’s Drug Free Workplace policy defines the criteria for this type of testing.
- Random — Random tests are unannounced and occur throughout the year, thus creating a high level of deterrence. Selections are generally generated by a computer-based random generator that is matched to an employee ID number.
- Reasonable-Suspicion — When an employee shows signs of possibly being impaired by drugs or alcohol, the employer may require him or her to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test. The employer’s determination should be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the employee.
- Return-to-Duty — This type of testing may be conducted after a Drug Free Workplace policy violation when the employer offers employees a second chance. In order to return to work, the employee must have a non-negative result on the return-to-duty test.
- Follow-Up — After the violation of the employer’s Drug-Free Workplace Program and the successful completion of a Return-to-Duty test, an employee may be subject to follow-up testing. A Substance Abuse Professional generally develops the follow-up testing plan, with prescribed testing scheduled by the employer.
Testing Methods
While there are multiple drug testing methods, urinalysis is the most reliable and common type. Other methods include hair testing, saliva testing, blood testing and sweat testing. Some pros and cons of each method are highlighted below:
| Methods | Pros | Cons |
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| Urinalysis |
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| Hair Testing |
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| Saliva Testing |
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| Blood Testing |
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| Sweat Testing |
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Common Signs of Employee Substance Abuse
An employee’s substance abuse problems often manifest themselves at work. Company owners and managers should be aware of the following signs of employee substance abuse.
- Decline in quantity and quality of work.
- Excessive absences and unexplained disappearances.
- Disregard for established procedures.
- Strained interpersonal work relationships.
- Overly sensitive to advice and feedback.
Many employees think they can control their substance use and keep it a secret, but erratic behavior often gives them away. It becomes increasingly difficult for employees struggling with substance abuse to mask the effects of their problems. Many of the common effects of substance abuse, such as impaired memory and judgment, lowered motivation and moodswings, are fairly easy to identify. By identifying and dealing with these problems early and appropriately, companies can save themselves a lot of time and money, and prevent unnecessary problems.
