Dealing With Drugs In The Workplace

Dealing with drugs in the workplace is a major problem to be dealt with. They increase risk of accident, lower productivity, and reduce profits to the organization.   If they become too much of a nuisance to the company they should be terminated immediately because drug addicts may also influence other employees in the workplace and may force them also to indulge in these wrong doings. This may lead to loss in the company. They may loose the most talented employee. Thus, companies must take various measures to prevent people from taking drugs in the workplace. A policy may be implemented. A good policy will include commitments to awareness, support, and training staff. The process of developing a policy has several stages. First, seek advice from a specialist and top management. Next develop a draft policy. Circulate the draft policy to all the employees for their feedback. Some employees may accept it while some may reject the policy. All the feedback must be put together and considered. Finally, redraft as appropriate and submit for final approval. At work the most common signs that there are drug addicts are: physical appearance, dependability, problem solving, job knowledge, productivity, judgment, working with other people.

Compared to their non-abusing workers, they are:

• Tem times more likely to miss work.
• Responsible for health care costs.
• The cause for lower profits.
• Five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim.
• Less productive comparatively.

How Can It Be Prevented?

The following are some of the ways in which help you to create a drug-free workplace.

• A written policy provided by top management, which is understood and abide by all the employees. It should be reinforced regularly.
• Substance abuse prevention program which provides the employees not only on the dangers or drugs but also provide counseling.
• An employee assistance program.
• A drug testing component which is used to check employees if they are drug-abused timely.

Review Questions:

• How do you deal with people addicted to drugs in the workplace?
• List some preventive measures.