Importance of Corporate Training: 5 Ways to Maintain a Drug and Alcohol-free Workplace

The fact is that drug abuse and addiction cost US employers billions of dollars every year in workplace productivity, healthcare, and crime-related expenses, as per the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance.

Make sure you equip your staff with the right tools to identify signs and symptoms of substance use, misuse, and addiction. It is time your company implement a corporate safety training program to maintain a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

Companies need talented employees who can be trusted with their work duties. Drugs or alcohol at the workplace can affect the employee’s performance, workplace safety, and personal health.

It’s important to create and maintain a drug-free workplace program by introducing supportive policies and procedures that attract the right kind of employees who will contribute towards growing the organization.

To give you a better picture of America’s situation, let’s go through some shocking numbers that have impacted the work culture.

With the legalization of marijuana laws throughout the U.S., these numbers are gaining traction and points towards the need for a drug-free workplace program to be in place.

There are several benefits of a drug and alcohol-free work environment:

If your company doesn’t have alcohol and drug-free workplace policy in place, we recommend you go through the below to know the importance of corporate safety training.

Why do you need a drug-free workplace policy?

According to statistics, one in every six deaths at the workplace and about a quarter of workplace injuries are caused by drug or alcohol use. These figures are shocking and unacceptable and signal for an immediate workplace policy to reduce such accidents.

Along with the drug user, everyone around them is exposed to such risks.

Improves productivity

It’s obvious that people who are high on alcohol or drugs won’t show up for work. Frequent absenteeism can put their job at risk, impacting the company growth. It’s important to hold employees accountable for their actions.

Here, a drug-free workplace policy helps to improve the reliability and dedication of the team. Employees who are under the influence of drugs result in lateness, laziness, and poor performance.

Reduces the load of insurance premiums and compensation payouts

Substance users are about five times more likely to file compensation claims in case of any harassment at the workplace. These employees will cost companies twice as much in compensation and medical expenses.

Implementing a policy can reduce the number of accidents, thus decreasing the number of claims. All business insurance companies look favorably on companies with a drug-free workplace policy, thus reducing insurance premiums.

Reflects your concern for your employees

To strike a perfect balance between management and employees, you need to build healthy relationships, reciprocal respect, and professional care.

The best way to achieve this is to implement a drug and alcohol-free workplace policy to improve your relationships and show your concern. Take an interest in managing their health, safety, and working environment.

Think about implementing the policy in the most conscious and supportive way—look for resources to support those who may be abusing substances rather than instantly firing or laying off.

Try to provide confidential support, recommend treatment centers, and come up with a workplace program that improves their quality of life.

You can also hire a trained professional specializing in corporate safety training services from Stephen May to do the work.

It can be implemented quickly

First, we need to decide on the terms and guidelines of the policy, before making it official. The HR department should work together to decide on the various communication modes to educate the employees about the policy.

It’s better to start by conducting training and workshops to inform them of the basics and the reasons behind introducing one. Every employee should be given a thorough idea about rules and consequences to be aware of their responsibilities.

Your policy should include the following:

In a nutshell, the policy should not be treated as a punishment or some decision meant to control staff, but rather should be introduced as a collective decision for improved health and education.

There are a few things you need to consider while preparing one:

Are you thinking about ways to enforce a drug-free workplace program in your organization? We are here with a simple yet effective way to start a drug-free workplace program.

Draft a written policy

A written document is a blueprint of your plan that aligns with labor laws and devoid of discriminatory practices. A fully documented policy that’s easier for employees to respond to all calls of discriminatory enforcement.

Ask your employees to give their comments or feedback on the same.

Train your supervisors well

All the people at the higher authority should be well-informed and supportive of their employee’s vision for the program. Train them to understand the early signs of workplace drug use and the respective protocol to handle such employees.

Educate employees

Employee involvement can make them feel included throughout the whole process of enforcing drug-free workplace policy. Keep your employees informed about the possible health and safety risk associated with drugs.

Motivate them to create a drug-free workplace using regular newsletter articles, meetings, inspirational videos, posters, etc.

Ask them to get help

Partner with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide relevant education, counseling, and other wellness resources for employees who wish to stop drug use.

Perform drug testing

Workplace drug testing can help them weigh the risks versus rewards and make the best decision for their careers.

Do you need help in creating your drug-free workplace policy?

We are a reputable municipal and corporate safety training solution provider located in Amesbury, MA providing you with the following training solutions:

A 4-hour course to give supervisory and management personnel the knowledge and skills necessary to correctly, accurately, and fairly determine reasonable suspicion of cannabis use and impairment in the workplace.

The primary focus is on the numerous forms of cannabis-related products and discrete methods of consumption.

‘Drugs in the Workplace’ is an 8-hour course to give supervisory, management, and other key personnel the knowledge and skills necessary to correctly, accurately, and reasonably determine suspicion of drug or alcohol use and impairment in the workplace.

Topics discussed include:

Stephen W. May LLC offers corporate safety training solutions designed to change the workplace’s safety culture, keeping in mind the importance of training and professional development in the workplace. Reach out to us today!