Drug Free Workplace Consulting Services
What is a Drug Free Workplace?
More than 14 million Americans use illicit drugs. Roughly
three-quarters of these individuals are employed, and when
they arrive to work, they don’t leave their problems
at the door. American businesses pay a high price for substance
abuse in the workplace. Some costs - increased absences, accidents
and errors - are obvious. Others, such as low employee morale
and high illness rates, are less obvious but the effects are
equally harmful.
Small businesses are greatly at a disadvantage when it comes
to drugs and alcohol in the workplace. They are less likely
than larger companies to have programs in place to combat
the problem, yet more likely to be the employer-of-choice”
for illicit drug users. Individuals who can’t adhere
to a drug-free workplace policy seek employment at precisely
those firms that don’t have one, and the cost of just
one error caused by an impaired employee can devastate a company.
Here are a few questions to ask of you
and your company:
- Do you currently have a policy in place for a drug and
alcohol-free workplace?
- What happens if I violate it?
- If you do have a policy what does it consist of, do you
feel comfortable with how it reads and what it will be able
to do for your employees? Is it effective?
- What are some of your provisions when it comes to dealing
with an employee who has a problem with alcohol and/or drugs?
- How do you make it possible for employees to get the
help when they need it, and are they using it?
- What resources do you currently have for aiding in the
process of intervening on an employee and the eventual steps
that it will take to get them the help that they need?
- When it comes time for the employee to come back to work
from receiving treatment, what do you look at in terms of
re-entry?
- Why do you feel it is necessary to look at this area
of your policy, do you feel it is worth it to your company?
- Do you currently have knowledge or experience on how
your company may have been negatively affected by alcohol
and/or drug related events in the workplace?
- How can I help promote a drug-free workplace?
Addiction Intervention Resources strives
to:
- Raise awareness about the impact of substance abuse on
businesses big or small.
- Provide information/education on how to effectively establish
a drug-free workplace program
- Encourage employers to implement programs that protect
worker safety and health, while respecting worker rights.
- Put the plan into action as soon as it becomes aware
that an issue exists with an employee that is alcohol and/or
drug related and to see it through from start to finish.
How do EMPLOYERS benefit from an Alcohol-and
Drug Free Workplace?
As an employer, the benefits of an Alcohol-and drug free workplace
are considerable in both financially measurable and non-measurable
terms.
Paybacks include: Increased
staff morale, employee motivation, employee creativity, customer
satisfaction, customer retention, positive public image, savings
through incentive programs offered by insurance carriers,
and savings through fewer accidents and property damage.
Decreased accidents, errors, incidents requiring disciplinary
action, absenteeism, tardiness, employee theft and fraud,
legal expenses, insurance claim, staff turnover, chances of
hiring substance abusers, workers’ compensation costs
How do EMPLOYEES Benefit from an Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace?
Working for a company that is alcohol and drug free has a
lot of advantages. Employers who maintain alcohol-and drug-free
workplaces do more than just protect their business assets—they
contribute to the improved safety, health and well being of
their workforce. Employees benefit from knowing that drug-free
workplace program not only applies to them, but to all coworkers
and managers on whom their safety and security depends. Take
a moment to consider the positive impact a drug-free environment
has on:
Safety
Employees in drug-free environments have a greater confidence
that their workplaces are safe…. Think about the construction
contactor whose personal safety depends on his fellow workers
being alert and focused at all times.
Health
Employees in drug-free environments take comfort in knowing
that their workplace is healthy….. Consider the restaurant
server who knows his own health won’t be compromised
because he has to work a double shift for a colleague who
regularly calls in sick due to hangovers.
Productivity
Employees in a drug-free environments are reassured that their
workplaces are productive….. Think about the hi-tech
worker who knows he won’t miss an important deadline
because he’s covering for a colleague whose output lags
due to drug abuse.
Morale
Employees in a drug-free workplaces are pleased to part of
a team that gets the job done and enjoy the benefits of higher
morale…..Picture the nurse who arrives for work each
day with the knowledge that the level of patient care won’t
suffer due to a coworkers’ abuse of alcohol or other
drugs
Security
Employees in drug-free workplaces appreciate that their employer’s
policies make them more Secure. Consider the electronics store
sales associate who doesn’t worry that the cash register
she shares will be short at the end of the day because a coworker
steals to support a drug habit
Well-Being
Employees in drug-free workplaces feel an enhanced sense of
well being. Think about the accountant who worked hard to
achieve recovery and finds that his supportive work environment
plays an important role in his continued sobriety and success.
What AIR Has to Offer
AIR has a host of services for a company that may be struggling
with drug or alcohol abuse in the workplace. Services that
include:
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Treatment Recommendation/Planning
- Referral for Services
- Co-Case Management
- Aftercare Planning
- Re- Entry Back Into The Workplace
- Follow-Up
Help! I need help in creating a Drug
Free Workplace. What do I do next?
Please contact us for more information on creating a Drug
Free Workplace and what Addiction Intervention Resources can
do for your business. Call our National Call Center.
800.561.8158
By utilizing the services that AIR has to offer
your employees and your company it stands a greater likelihood
of prospering together and becoming the most positive and
well-rounded organization. By operating on the philosophy
of looking at prevention, intervention, and post-vent ion,
ultimately we will all be winners in this game of life. This
is a plan that you cannot afford to look at.
We do compliment EAP services; the one component
that they are able to do is provide some up front counseling
and is usually located right in the place of employment. A
study that was concluded by Hazelden within the year has shown
that employee’s that have EAP services right at there
place of work are more reluctant to get help from them. They
are scared of what may happen to them even if they were to
ask about what benefits exist for alcohol and drugs. Being
able to use services that are not so closely watched lessons
the fear factor to where employees can get the help they need.
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CLICK HERE to read more information on addiction-related intervention services or call our National Call Center 800.561.8158