|
Getting
a grip on workplace substance abuse
Drug-Free
Workplace Act of 1988
How
to detect a problem regarding...
Job
performance
Appearance
Behavioral pattern
Writing a policy
Where
to find information - Workplace Substance
Abuse Programs
Helplines for employees
Drug-Free
Workplace Act of 1988
The
Drug-Free Workplace Act is a federal stature
requiring certain Federal contractors
to maintain a drug-free workplace.
If
you are covered by the Act, you are required
to do the following:
- Provide
a drug-free workplace.
- Publish
a statement notifying your employees
that the unlawful manufacture, distribution,
dispensing, possession or use of a
controlled substance is prohibited
in the workplace. It should also state
actions to be taken against your employees
for violations.
- Create
an ongoing, drug-free awareness program
to inform your employees of the dangers
of drug abuse, your drug-free workplace
policy, the availability of any drug
counseling programs, and the possible
penalties for drug abuse violations
occurring in the workplace.
- Require
each employee directly involved in
the work of the contract or grant
to notify you of any criminal drug
statute conviction for a violation
occurring in the workplace.
- Require
corrective actions for convicted employees.
How
to detect a problem regarding...
Job
performance
Employers
expect the most out of their employees.
It is extremely important for an employer
to be on top of his employee's job
performance at all times. Signs that
an employee's job performance is not up
to par, due to a substance abuse problem,
include:
- Fatigue
- Lack
of concentration
- Slower
work pace
- Quality
of work not up to par
- Absenteeism
- Leaving
early from work
- Late
for work often
- Taking
several sick days
Appearance
Most
businesses have certain dress codes that
all employees are mandated to follow.
However, employees who are abusing alcohol
or drugs may have a change in their appearance.
Signs to look for include:
- Unshaven
- Unkempt,
dressed sloppy
- Dressed
inappropriately for work
- Wearing
sunglasses indoors
- Bloodshot
eyes
- Poor
hygiene
- Weight
loss or gain
Behavioral
pattern
How
is your employee's behavior? Here
are some behavioral patterns you want
to be aware of:
- Violent
behavior
- Depression
- Highly
emotional
- Stealing
from coworkers
- Constantly
borrowing money
- Becoming
antisocial
Writing
a policy
What
do you, the hiring manager, do when you
discover that one of your employees is
showing many of the signs listed above?
Do you automatically fire him? Do you
offer to help him?
Many
companies have a written substance abuse
policy. While all policies are not exactly
the same, all should contain some common
information, such as why you are implementing
the policy, what the policy forbids, and
what the consequences are for not following
the policy.
The
following guidelines can be used when
writing a policy:
- Let
employees and job applicants know
that alcohol and drug abuse is prohibited
and will not be tolerated in the workplace.
- Tell
why the company is concerned about
drug and alcohol abuse.
A. Affects
job performance.
B. Affects
the working environment.
C. Public
liability
- Make
it clear that action will be taken
against those who do not follow the
written policy guidelines.
The
supervisor's role
Although
supervisors cannot control what their
employees do outside of work, they are
responsible for what happens in the office.
Being in direct contact with the employee,
the supervisor can see if problems are
developing within his performance. Supervisors
should write down anything that they
believe to be unusual about the employee
and document unsatisfactory work. They
should also learn how to utilize employee
assistance programs (EAPs). Supervisors
also need to discuss work problems. However,
supervisors should not play doctor
or therapist by trying to diagnose an
employee's problem.
Employee
Drug Awareness Programs
EAPs are open to all employees on a self-
or supervisory basis for information,
advice, counseling or even a referral.
EAPs are cost-effective (reduce absenteeism,
raise productivity) and are beneficial
to employees because they can help identify
the problems.
How
does a company start an EAP?
To start an EAP you might first want to
check the yellow pages (or blue pages
located in the white pages telephone directory)
under alcohol/drug abuse programs or information.
Supervisors should be trained in recognizing
employees with substance abuse problems.
They need to learn how to utilize the
EAP.
An
EAP should operate under a clearly defined
written policy. The policy should, in
detail, explain the intent of the EAP,
organizational and legal mandates, employee
eligibilit and procedures for program
use.
Drug
& Alcohol Testing
According to the U.S. Department of Labor,
you will need to make a list of ideas
on how your program will be set up. It
would be beneficial to consult a lawyer
with a background in drug testing programs.
Some questions you may want to consider
include:
- Who
will you test?
- When
will you test? How often?
- For
what drugs will you test?
- What
will you do if an employee or applicant
tests positive?
Where
to find information?
Workplace substance abuse programs
The
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and
Drug Information (NCADI) - This toll-
free service will help you find information
on all aspects of substance abuse. Many
publications and education materials are
free. Call 1-800-729-6686 for more information.
Web site: http://www.health.org
The
Workplace Helpline - This service
assists business, industry and unions
on the development and implementation
of comprehensive drug-free workplace programs.
For more information, call 1-800-WORKPLACE.
Web site: http://www.drugfreeworkplace.org/index.html
Helplines
for Employees
Al-Anon
-- Al-Anon provides information on the
effects of alcohol abuse and refers friends
and families of alcohol abusers to Al-Anon
and Ala-Teen support groups. For more
information, call 1-800-356-9996. Web
site: http://www.al-anon-alateen.org/
Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA) --AA offers a way to
stop drinking to those who feel they have
a problem with alcohol. AA groups are
located in most cities and rural communities
throughout the country. Look up Alcoholics
Anonymous in your local telephone book
or call (212) 870-3400. Web site: http://www.aa.org
American
Council on Alcoholism Helpline --
This service provides referrals to alcoholism
treatment programs nationwide. Call 1-800-527-5344
for further information.
National
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Hopeline -- This organization, a planning
and oversight agency for public substance
abuse treatment programs, provides written
information on alcohol and drug abuse
and offers referrals to treatment and
counseling services throughout the country.
For more information, call 1-800-NCA-CALL.
Web site: http://www.ncadd.org
|
