| Small companies are at greater risk of hiring and | | | | to afford to buy their drugs. |
| then suffering the consequences of drug and | | | | - Accidents. People whose senses and responses |
| alcohol abusers than larger businesses. Why? | | | | are dulled by substance abuse are more likely to |
| Because smaller companies tend to be more | | | | be involved in accidents. |
| casual in their hiring practices. The larger the | | | | In addition, it is becoming increasingly common for |
| company, the more likely it is that they will have | | | | employers to be held liable in court for the |
| a drug testing program in place. Job applicants | | | | behavior of employees both on and off the job, |
| who can't pass a drug test will likely not bother | | | | as long as they are operating within the scope of |
| applying to a company that does mandatory | | | | their employment. For example, if your employee |
| pre-employment drug testing and will instead look | | | | takes a customer out to dinner, has a few drinks |
| for a job with a company that does not do drug | | | | and then is involved in an automobile crash on the |
| testing. | | | | way home, you could be held responsible. |
| The results of hiring such an applicant are not | | | | Establishing a substance-abuse prevention program |
| always clearly visible. Substance abuse in the | | | | that includes pre-employment drug testing can |
| workplace is insidious. Unless there's an accident or | | | | reduce both losses and liability. It can also work as |
| crisis of some sort, you may not realize this | | | | a marketing tool because you can promote the |
| culprit is literally negatively affecting your bottom | | | | fact that your customers can trust your products |
| line. | | | | and services because your company is a |
| Losses can occur in five areas: | | | | drug-free workplace. A growing number of large |
| - Productivity. People who are under the influence | | | | companies and government agencies are requiring |
| of drugs or alcohol (or are suffering from | | | | that their suppliers have some sort of drug-free |
| hangovers) are likely to function more slowly and | | | | program. |
| less effectively than those who are not. | | | | An effective drug-free workplace program |
| - Absenteeism and tardiness. For many, drug and | | | | includes: |
| alcohol abuse is part of a lifestyle where work | | | | - A written policy that clearly articulates |
| responsibilities are a low priority; when this is the | | | | expectations, practices and consequences. |
| case, getting to work on time or at all just | | | | - Employee education and awareness. |
| doesn't matter. | | | | - Supervisory training. |
| - Medical claims. Drug and alcohol abusers are | | | | - Drug and alcohol testing as appropriate and |
| more likely to suffer from related and other | | | | necessary. |
| health issues. | | | | - Employee assistance plan. |
| - Pilferage. Addicts may steal from you to be able | | | | |