Employee Drug and Alcohol Awarness with Daniel Houser

TL;DR

Substance abuse in the workplace significantly decreases productivity and poses occupational health and safety concerns, highlighting the need for HR professionals to address and ensure the safety of employees.

Transcript

hey I'm Dan um the topic that we're going to be discussing today is employees and employee drug and alcohol awareness okay so you may question okay how does this exactly relate to HR well I've come up with a few different facts that are interesting one productivity when people are on drugs or drunk while they're working productivity drastically dec... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace significantly decreases productivity, increases accidents, injuries, and absenteeism.
• 🥰 HR professionals are responsible for creating a safe workplace, even for employees struggling with substance abuse.
• 🥺 Substance abuse can lead to long-term effects on an employee's personal and professional life, including trouble with work, relationships, and the law.
• 🕵️ Testing methods are available to detect various substances, but they do not test for impairment during working hours.
• 👮 State laws and federal nondiscrimination statutes should be taken into consideration when addressing substance abuse in the workplace.
• ✋ Substance abuse is a widespread issue, with a high percentage of illegal drug users being employed.
• 🥰 Workplace fatalities and injuries are often caused by drug and alcohol abuse, making it crucial for HR professionals to address the issue.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Drug and alcohol abuse is responsible for a significant number of workers' compensation claims and is a hindrance to employees reaching their full potential.

Questions & Answers

Q: Are there any legal obligations for employers to address drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace?

Yes, OSHA requires employers to provide a safe workplace and protect employees from recognized hazards, including drugs and alcohol. Clear written policies should be in place to communicate expectations to employees.

Q: How can Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) help employees with drug or alcohol problems?

EAPs provide support and resources for employees struggling with addiction. It is important to note that firing an employee in the midst of treatment for addiction may be considered discrimination.

Q: What are the benefits of implementing drug testing in the workplace?

Drug testing deters substance use, prevents hiring individuals using illegal drugs, identifies addiction early for treatment, ensures a safe workplace, protects the general public and consumers, and ensures compliance with state and federal laws.

Q: What are the most common testing methods for drugs and alcohol?

The most common methods include urine analysis, breath alcohol tests, blood tests, hair tests, saliva or oral fluids tests, and sweat tests.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace leads to decreased productivity, poor judgment, loss of control, and an increase in accidents and injuries.

• HR professionals have a responsibility to create a safe workplace, even for employees who may participate in drug and alcohol abuse.

• Signs of substance abuse include attendance and performance issues, risk-taking behavior, changing appearance, and withdrawal.