Drug Free Workplace Evaluation

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Drug Free Workplace Evaluation Joy Carr PSY/425 January 21, 2013 Dr. Barbara Nosal, Ph.D Abstract All employees have the right to be secure when at work, however, when employees are placed in a situation where they have to work with others who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol their safety can be compromised. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the drug policy of Company Y and to discuss the methods that are in place that help supervisors identify substance abuse, and any programs that are available to the employees for assistance. Drug Free Workplace Evaluation Drug use has become a staple in our society. An individual with an ailment would…show more content…
According to SAMHSA (n.d) Teens and young adults are using prescription drugs for recreation in growing numbers. (Young Workers at Increased Risk). While prescription drugs are useful in managing the drugs intended purposes the abuse of these drugs can impose negative side-effects, which may result in workforce impairment of that individual. Understanding the risk associated with illicit and prescription drugs are important in minimizing its risk. Policies and procedures they mitigate and handle drug use in the workplace is a key factor in deterring drug use in the workplace that many organizations need to maintain. Absenteeism Drug abuse in the workplace is a serious problem. Workers coming in under the influence of illicit or licit drugs can cause many problems in the workplace. Absenteeism is one of the problems that can be created. Absenteeism can become a great burden on coworkers since they are the ones who have to pick up the slack from the absent employee. If an employee is excessively absent then the employer may consider terminating that employee which would raise the turnover rate. Accidents, Downtime, and…show more content…
These characteristics and efforts are: Policies and procedures that are clear and are set in place for all employees, assistance methods for employees whom admit that they have an abuse problem, policies that are clearly stated about the discipline methods that will take place if an employee fails to seek help with abuse problems, visible support and leadership from company leaders and managers. All of these characteristics are set in place to make sure that employees are not selling or using alcohol or drugs. The health and safety of all employees are a value to employers who promote a drug free workplace environment (Heathfield, 2013). When a drug free workplace is not enforced, productivity from employees can result in the company initially losing money because of the lack of work employees are actually doing. Work related injuries can be costly on the company if the employee is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. Another reason companies should promote a drug free workplace is to reduce the number of early dismissals, absences, and tardies of employees. Offering drug tests is a simple way to discourage the use of drugs and/or alcohol by employees. Statistics show that employees that use drugs are more likely o have a workplace accident by 3.6 times and are more likely to create a workers’ compensation report by 5

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