| The Bureau of Workers' Compensation in Ohio | | | | the time learning the rules and finding the right |
| (BWC) offers discounts on premiums, if a | | | | people that are required for each aspect of the |
| qualifying company establishes a Drug-Free | | | | policy. However, hiring an experienced, |
| Workplace. The BWC determines if a company is | | | | trustworthy company is the best and easiest |
| qualified to receive the discounts. The rules | | | | way to go about it. You'll be surprised at how little |
| changed in 2009 with much tighter restrictions on | | | | it can cost, depending on whom you hire. |
| who can receive them, but discounts (as well as | | | | Typically, large companies charge larger fees; |
| grants) are available to pay for drug awareness | | | | small companies charge smaller fees. Companies |
| training for employees and supervisors. In 2010 | | | | listed as Providers on the "ohio.bwc" website can |
| there will be more changes with looser restrictions | | | | help a company with all of the requirements. |
| but lower discount percentages. A good company | | | | The Workers' Compensation discount isn't the |
| that is listed as a provider in the DFSP Vendor | | | | only reason to make your workplace drug free. |
| Directory on the "ohio.bwc" website can help a | | | | There are many other reasons, including payroll |
| business apply for grants and discounts. A | | | | cost savings. According to the Department of |
| company can apply on their own on the website | | | | Labor, if you have a substance abuser on your |
| also. | | | | payroll, you could be losing thousands of dollars |
| But there's more to it than just displaying a "This | | | | each year off the bottom line. In fact, the loss |
| is a Drug-Free Workplace" sign in your office. A | | | | estimate is $7,000 to $15,000 per year! How can |
| true Drug-Free workplace includes a properly | | | | that number be so high? Substance abusers are |
| written policy which includes guidelines created by | | | | said to have lower productivity, take more sick |
| the BWC. It also would have agreements signed | | | | days, report more health insurance claims and |
| by your employees, acknowledging these | | | | have more accidents. In fact, 47% of serious |
| guidelines and the ramifications of a positive test. | | | | workplace accidents and 40% of fatal workplace |
| Drug awareness training, another requirement, | | | | accidents have drug and/or alcohol involvement |
| teaches the employees and supervisors about the | | | | (Occupational Medicine). |
| dangers of substance abuse and must be | | | | So whether you're looking to lower your Workers |
| performed by a qualified individual. And then of | | | | Compensation premiums or you just want to |
| course, employees must be tested for drugs | | | | improve your workplace, a Drug-Free Policy is a |
| before being hired and are subject to random | | | | good idea. When a workplace is drug free, there |
| drug testing. | | | | is higher productivity and fewer accidents, which |
| There are two different levels of discounts. The | | | | leads to a better bottom line. You'll be surprised at |
| higher discount requires more involvement. You | | | | how little it can cost and how much you can |
| can do much of it yourself, if you want to spend | | | | potentially save! |