| Any DOT training that is provided by your | | | | "The drinking problem of the alcoholic does not |
| company online should assist you with the goal of | | | | bother me." |
| reaching every supervisor with drug and alcohol | | | | If the DOT Training in Reasonable Suspicion does |
| training and reaching 100% of your supervisory | | | | not address these myths, it is too superficial. You |
| personnel. No stragglers. Indeed, a web course | | | | want supervisors finishing a web course and |
| may be the only way to get it because | | | | saying to themselves, "WOW! I never thought |
| supervisors can train 24/7 from anywhere and | | | | about that!" Get that reaction, and you have |
| you can e-mail a start link to one or more of | | | | motivated supervisors who will take the next |
| them that launches upon receipt with just one | | | | step and behave differently to protect your |
| click. This capability is essential to accomplishing | | | | company. Other myths that a web course should |
| the goal with a high level of cooperation. | | | | address include understanding drug tolerance, |
| Web technology saves time, money, energy, | | | | definition of denial, enabling behavior, how addicts |
| sweat, and avoids frustration. With a | | | | think and survive their disease to continue |
| server-based course, meaning the course is on | | | | drinking, cognitive distortions, manipulation, and |
| your web site insider your web server, web | | | | classic excuses that emerge when employees are |
| training, in reasonable suspicion is put on automatic | | | | confronted. |
| pilot, and instantly, you can do other things with | | | | 4. SOUND-BASED. |
| your time. | | | | Ensure that your web course has sound. Don't let |
| There are many choices for reasonable suspicion | | | | it be a movie or simple text. The web course |
| training. If you Google "reasonable suspicion web | | | | should be "click through" format from frame to |
| courses", several suitable options will be listed. | | | | frame so images can be viewed along as the |
| Regardless, to make training effective, reliable, | | | | narrator describes what the supervisor is viewing. |
| and as fast as possible, consider online training | | | | This is because concepts need to be considered |
| products with these issues in mind: | | | | and a moving picture show will not allow |
| 1. AVOIDING THIRD PARTY LOG-INS | | | | supervisors to THINK deeply about the content. I |
| There are courses available to provide drug and | | | | prefer a male voice because there are so many |
| alcohol training to supervisors that do not require | | | | male supervisors that cover up. |
| you to log-in, pay "per user fees", and that will | | | | 5. SCORED TEST QUESTIONS |
| help expand your ability to reach supervisors with | | | | Ensure that there are enough test questions |
| DOT training in Reasonable Suspicion. This also | | | | within the drug and alcohol training that cover |
| allows you to train supervisors from your | | | | alcohol, drug use. This is only possible with test |
| website, avoid subscription fees, (which is helpful | | | | questions that supervisors self-score. And there |
| for tight budgets). Virtually no third party | | | | has to be enough of them. I recommend at least |
| providers allow you to upload your drug free | | | | 20 minimum. Supervisors should be able to |
| workplace policies, nor will they allow specific | | | | correct their answers, but in addition, they should |
| editable changes to the content to meet the | | | | receive feedback on every question they get |
| unique needs of your work culture. | | | | wrong so they understand the deeper meaning |
| 2. AMPLE PRINTABLE HANDOUTS | | | | and issues that underlie the question. |
| Ensure your web course will show and allow | | | | 6. TEST QUESTIONS ON HANDOUTS |
| supervisors to print PDFs of course handouts. | | | | Ensure that there is a test question on each of |
| Also, choose a program that will allow you to | | | | the handouts from the course. This will help |
| insert your own. A signs and symptoms checklist | | | | ensure that supervisors read the handouts during |
| should be included because supervisors are | | | | the course. Pretty simple, but necessary. |
| handicapped without it as they try to construct | | | | 7. EDUCATION ON MANIPULATION AND VERBAL |
| documentation with limited information. | | | | EXCUSE TRAPS |
| 3. DISPEL MYTHS | | | | Ensure that the web course for training includes |
| Ensure that the web course for DOT Training of | | | | excuses and communication traps that |
| Supervisors targets common myths regarding | | | | supervisors face. They must be given awareness |
| alcoholism and drug addiction. Drug and alcohol | | | | for how employees avoid tests. |
| training often omits these important words. These | | | | Some employees will confess to using drugs or |
| myths are so rampant that even a hint of their | | | | alcohol immediately. Why? They do this because |
| being challenged drives some people to fits of | | | | they know there is no way out, and their only |
| near anxiety. This is especially true of family | | | | hope is to play on sympathy, look convincing, and |
| members of alcoholics who have enabled for | | | | explain to the supervisor that everything is "ok" |
| years and will do so in your workplace with the | | | | because the person is back in treatment. AA, or |
| employees they supervise. | | | | some other appropriate support. There are many |
| For example, many people use the term | | | | manipulation and excuse traps in the game of |
| "Functional Alcoholism". This term is a powerful | | | | reasonable suspicion testing and confrontation of |
| example of enabling and it only means one thing: | | | | employees. |