Obvious costs to business include increased absences, accidents and errors. Other costs, such as low employee morale and high illness rates, are less obvious, but the effects are equally harmful.
The good news is that employers have enormous power to protect their businesses from the negative impact of substance abuse by educating employees about its dangers and encouraging workers with substance abuse problems to seek help. To help businesses benefit from being drug free and further its mission to employers maintain safe and healthy workplaces, the Department of Labor established Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace.
Working Partners raises awareness about the impact drugs and alcohol have on the workplace and provides information on how to establish drug-free workplace programs that protect worker safety and health, while respecting worker rights. The Working Partners Small Business Drug-Free Workplace Kit is available free of charge by calling (202) 693-5918 or e-mailing [email protected]. All materials in the kit, along with other tools to help employers develop drug-free workplace programs - including how to develop a drug-free workplace policy from start to finish and ready-to-use supervisor training and employee education materials - are also available online at www.dol.gov/dol/workingpartners.htm.