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Last Updated on February 25, 2018 by Work In My Pajamas
A drug-free workplace is a safe workplace, and there are several key components that are involved in creating a drug-free workplace. The following tips can be used as guidelines for helping you prevent drug usage on and off the job.
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1. Writing a Drug-Free Workplace Policy
This will serve as the foundation for your organization’s drug-free workplace program. Every policy should be unique to a certain extent, but there are some key factors that are common to most policies. For instance, every policy should state why the policy or drug-free workplace program is being implemented. The second core element of the policy should explain to employees what types of behavior are prohibited. The third element should provide employees with a clear explanation of the consequences for violating the policy.
2. Supervisor Training
In order to enforce the drug-free policy, make sure your supervisor is trained to recognize and deal with employees who have job performance problems that may be related to drug abuse. In order to do that, training should require the supervisor to become familiar with your drug-free policy, and assign him/her specific responsibilities in implementing the policy.
3. Employee Education
In order for employees to benefit from your drug-free policy, a mandatory drug and alcohol education program should be implemented. This education program should give your employees information about how drugs affect their work performance, health and personal and family life, and it should also give them information on how to obtain help for a substance abuse problem.
4. Providing Employee Assistance
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can be used to identify poor workplace performance that may come as a result of alcohol or drug abuse. Good Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) also offer short-term counseling and referrals for employees who need help. Ideally, length makes a big difference as far as addiction treatment is concerned, but the short-term counseling offered by EAPs already helps a lot. EAPs are a great way to show employees that the company values their staff.
5. Alcohol and Drug Testing
Every drug-free program has to be enforced. The best way to ensure that employees are drug-free is to perform random drug testing. Upon hiring, all employees should be tested, but once they have worked with the company for a while, the frequency of testing should gradually decrease. Due to laws regarding when, where and how drug testing is performed, it is best to get a lawyer before implementing any testing program.
