Setting up a drug-free workplace and creating management practices can assist your company hire and retain the right employees, as well as boost morale and provide the level of customer service you value. A drug-free workplace will be better equipped to reduce accidents, lessen employee responsibility, and reduce risks associated with customers, as well as guard against reputational harm to your business.
Continue reading to find out more about what it takes to create a drug-free workplace and why it’s crucial as well as beneficial for all companies to have a drug-free workplace. Plus, if you want to establish and uphold a reputable, competent, and trustworthy company, then reading this article will surely be beneficial for you.
Why is it important to have a drug-free workplace?
In 2014, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimated that roughly 21.5percent of Americans aged 12 and older had a substance use disorder. As a business person, you cannot afford to ignore the facts about drug use because this represents a sizable portion of the country’s general population.
By maintaining a drug-free workplace as well as enforcing everyone to the same standards, you can protect your company, your clients, and all of your employees. Everyone will gain, and you can observe as the number of accidents declines, productivity rises, as well as your earnings rise.
What constitutes a drug-free workplace program?
Some organizations assist firms in setting up what is thought to be a comprehensive drug-free workplace program. Additionally, a written policy, supervisor training, employee substance and alcohol education, as well as random drug testing are all typical program components.
The drug-free workplace program was initially developed as well as marketed by national, state, but also local associations of business owners who wished to establish a drug-free workplace as a standard and an expectation among employees. To ensure that members contributed to a drug-free atmosphere, some unions also adopted it and used drug testing.
Written policies guarantee that all staff members have the same understanding of their duties and rights under the drug-free workplace policy, including the right to equal treatment for all staff members.
To ensure that workers cannot abstain from drugs to pass a screening and then resume their use after it, random drug testing should be implemented in the program. This will hold staff members accountable for remaining drug-free.
All workplaces where personnel are recruited to operate heavy machinery or vehicles must conduct thorough drug and alcohol testing that complies with DOT regulations to guarantee a drug-free workplace. This can mainly be achieved if the supervisors are given the proper dot reasonable suspicion training.
Benefits of drug-free workplace
1. Less drug-related accidents at work
Unfortunately, you should know that drug use at the workplace happens more frequently than you might think. It is said that 65 percent of occupational accidents are attributable to drug and alcohol usage, according to data from the Department of Labor.
Because both drugs and alcohol slow down workers’ reaction times as well as judgment, they pose risks to themselves, other workers, and sometimes even consumers. Therefore, regulations that discourage drug use can contribute to making the workplace safer for everyone.
2. Insurance incentives
Insurance providers offer incentives and benefits to businesses having drug-free workplaces in several states, such as decreased premiums. This is due to the increase in insurance claims for workers’ compensation following industrial injuries. The quantity of claims is thus decreased by implementing drug policies that decrease workplace accidents as well as injuries.
3. A rise in productivity
Regular drug or alcohol abusers and alcoholics may be more prone to tardiness, and poor health, including difficulty focusing or performing job duties. They might perform poorly at work because they are more worn out. To boost productivity and encourage more attention and efficiency, a workplace that tries to eliminate drug and alcohol use is a smart place to start.
4. Employee gratitude and support
Employees need to feel supported at work, both while they’re working and throughout the remainder of their lives; for this reason, benefits, including perks like medical insurance, assistance with retirement savings, financial aid for college, as well as other things, are provided. Supporting workers’ health, wellness, and safety can also demonstrate your concern for their well-being.
A new policy should never be implemented to punish somebody, though. However, it is best to establish the policy collectively and provide an explanation of why you are doing it rather than trying to deceive them suddenly. A drug-free workplace where each employee feels supported as well as cared for requires education.
5. Less missed days
Workers who struggle with substance use disorders (SUDs) are absent from work more frequently than other employees, which could be costly to the business. People with substance use disorders (SUDs) skip 24.6 days of work annually, compared to an average of 15 days missed by coworkers, per the National Safety Council’s research.
Employers incur average annual costs of $8,255 per person for workers with substance use disorders (SUDs) who are not receiving treatment, and these costs rise to $14,374 for executives, managers, administrators, including financial specialists.
Why should employers implement a drug-free workplace program?
According to studies, around 80 percent of those who utilize illegal substances work full- or part-time. This indicates that they aren’t keeping their drug usage and working separately, as drug abuse often affects every element of a person’s life.
Establishing a drug-free workplace program is the only method for you as an employer to help stop drug usage from having an impact on your company, as one or more of your employees may be abusing prescription drugs or using illegal substances.
The best way to avoid drug-related consequences, which may include accidents, higher medical claim costs, reduced productivity, reduced profits, as well as a hostile work environment for your employees, is to strictly enforce drug testing policies.
This does not imply that you are suspecting or blaming any of your employees for using drugs. In addition to helping you as the employer, implementing a drug-free workplace policy helps your employees by ensuring a secure, productive workplace where a healthy atmosphere is given high importance.
Conclusion
It can be quite affordable to invest in your workers. Establishing a drug-free policy is one approach. In addition to helping to reduce drug usage, a successful drug-free workplace policy shows the employer cares about its workers.
A policy against drug use at work gives companies the power to safeguard their company by informing personnel and raising awareness of available options.
Employers must enforce a drug-free workplace policy to safeguard the welfare, health, and safety of their workers as well as to get the most out of them and run a profitable company.
