Employers who have successfully implemented drug-free workplace offered these suggestion to employers who are just beginning to address the issue of alcohol and other drug abuse in their own organizations:
Starting a drug-free workplace program requires careful planning. It's important to think ahead, define clear goals for the program, and seek advice from other employers with experience when you need it. Learn as much as you can about existing program and policies before you begin.
Work with your most valuable resource: your employees. They can help get the message out, clarify goals, and make sure the program fits into the daily reality of your workplace. Showing employees that you value their input vests them in the program and helps to make it work. Most estimates indicate that at least 8 out of 10 of your employees are probably not abusing alcohol or other drugs- they are already part of the solution.
Drug-free workplace programs are serious business. Violating a drug-free workplace policy could mean that someone could lose a job or not be offered one. Protect your organization with procedural rules that are clear, fair, and consistently applied. The policy should also include provisions for appeal. With these steps in place, employees are more likely to support the program and trust that the employer will carry it out fairly.
Where drug testing is a mandatory subject of collective bargaining, the rules for involvement of employee representatives are clear. Even when drug testing is not subject to collective bargaining, or when it is mandated by law, discussing the drug-free workplace policy with union representatives can be useful. They may have model programs or other ideas to offer, and they can be very helpful in communicating program purpose, procedures, and policies to the employees they represent.
Employees will support and have faith in your drug-free workplace program when their confidentiality is protected. If employees choose to tell coworkers about their private concerns (e.g., results of a drug test), that is their decision. However, when an employee tells you something in confidence, you are obligated to keep it between the two of you. To ensure employee support of the program and avoid legal problems, make confidentiality a priority and spell out the penalties for anyone who violates it.
If your program includes alcohol or other drug testing, satisfy yourself and your employees that samples are correctly collected; the chain of custody is flawless; the tests are conducted by properly trained and supervised laboratory technicians using equipment that is appropriately maintained; laboratory performance and accuracy is independently reviewed; and results are communicated through a medical review officer (MRO) trained to render judgments.
Fair procedures and provisions for appeal reduce the possibility of misunderstandings between employees and employers. Train your supervisors to carry out their roles in the drug-free workplace program appropriately, and review and evaluate their performance in this area to prevent misuse of the program.
Whether you write the first draft of your policy yourself or tailor an existing policy to your needs, having your program, policy, and procedures reviewed by an attorney experienced in labor and employment matters in your State is extremely important. An attorney can advise you on any relevant State laws governing drug-free workplace programs or employer testing, and on how the American With Disabilities Act (ADA) may affect your program implemntation. An attorney can also alert you as laws and regulations change over time.
A drug-free workplace program that communicates care and concern for employees is more likely to succeed than one that seems scary or that intimidates employees. Providing assistance for employees with alcohol or other drug problems is one way employers can communicate that they care. Not every organization can afford to cover the costs of treatment for alcohol or other drug abuse; however, you can encourage employees to seek outside help and make it clear that help is available.
Explain your drug-free workplace program by using a variety of communication strategies. The message should be clear from the start. Effective ways to communicate include writing materials, charts, meetings, question-and-answer sessions, and a suggestion box. Employers who are successful at this know it is important to repeat the message periodically, watch how the program works on a day-to-day basis, invite feedback, and revise the program as needed to meet the specific needs of the workplace.
Drug-free workplace programs are being studied and improved all the time. Keep current by joining local drug-free advocacy groups or coalitions. Some trade and professional associations also provide up-to-date information about drug-free workplace issues. Some employers ask an employee group to periodically review the program and suggest appropriate changes.