Q. What benefits will I see from setting up a drug free workplace program?

A. Some of the benefits are economic. Employers frequently cite reductions in workers' compensation costs, for example. An effective drug program helps to cut back on accidents,
mistakes, and employee turnover. It can save an employer hundreds or thousands of dollars every year. Other benefits are less tangible but just as important; for example, an effective drug free workplace program can significantly improve the climate of the workplace and employee morale.

What do I do if I am fairly sure an employee has an alcohol or other drug use problem?

Do not accuse the employee of having an alcohol or other drug problem. Address the problem on the basis of the employee's work performance and conduct. If you have an alcohol and other drug policy in place, follow through on it objectively and fairly for all employees. If you do not have a policy, you can stop the employee from performing the job to protect the safety of other employees, the public at large, or your company's reputation. Call the Workplace Hotline at 800-WORKPLACE to find out whether local, State, or Federal Laws apply to your situation.

Q. Am I required to do drug testing?

A. No. The Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act does not require all employers to do mandatory drug testing. However, some Federal agencies, such as the Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense, have specific drug free workplace regulations governing safety and security and many now require alcohol and other drug testing.

Q. If I do drug testing, how much is it likely to cost, and how do I find a good drug testing laboratory?

A. Depending on the types of drug tests performed and number of drug substances being tested for, drug testing costs between $20 to $50 per laboratory drug test.

Q. What is an employee assistance program?

A. An employee assistance program "EAP" is a confidential service that helps employees deal with a variety of personal problems that may be interfering with their work performance. Consulting an EAP, as with any form of counseling, should be voluntary, although in many cases managers and supervisors can strongly recommend that an employee seek assistance from an EAP and tie this in with a performance evaluation. More than ever before, EAP services are available to smaller businesses at affordable costs to deal with employee drug and other problems.

Q. What is the role of supervisors and supervisor training?

A. Effective supervision is one key to a drug free workplace program. One of the most
important considerations is the need to focus on job performance and avoid attempting
to become a counselor or diagnostician. Supervisors should be able to recognize patterns of behavior that might indicate employee problems-- and be prepared to refer employees to appropriate sources of help. Training for supervisors is essential for
an effective workplace program.