Drug Free Workplace Program
Consider This...
Cost
- Users cost their employers an average of $7,000-$25,000 per year.
Accidents
- Substance abuses are 3 to 4 times more likely to have an accident on the job and 5 times more likely to file a Workers' Compensation claim.
- 47% of serious workplace accidents and 40% of fatal workplace accidents have drug and/or alcohol involvement.
Worker's Compensation Claims
- Of all the Workers' Compensation claims filed, 38%-50% are related to drug and/or alcohol abuse in the workplace.
Medical Claims
- Substance abusers file 300%-400% more costly medical claims
Absenteeism
- Users are absent an average of 3 weeks more per year and tardy 3 times more often than nonusers.
Productivity
- Substance abusers produce 33%-50% less than nonusers.
Employee Theft
- It is estimated that 50%-80% of all the pilferage, theft, and loss in the workplace are due to substance-using employees.
What is a Drug-Free Workplace program?
A Drug-Free Workplace (DFW) program is designed to help employers develop a safer and more cost-effective workplace. Employers who implement a drug-free workplace are choosing to keep their employees safe by reducing the chance of an accident caused by substance abuse. It encourages employers to detect and deter substance abuse and to take appropriate corrective action.
The Importance and Benefits of a Drug-Free Workplace
Whether your company is small or large, you can and will benefit from putting a drug-free workplace program into operation in your business. By implementing a drug-free workplace program, you can improve safety and health, protect employees' rights, and reduce workers' compensation costs. Alcohol and drug abuse is often the silent and unseen cause of work-related accidents, increase absenteeism, decreased productivity, and the increased use of health benefits within a company. Unfortunately, employers and employees are unaware of this invisible threat until it is too late. As an incentive to implementing a drug-free workplace program, STEPS can help you obtain (if eligible) a 10 to 20 percent discount on your workers' compensation premiums for up to five years. The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation also offers financial grants to help offset the cost of implementing a program. The bottom line is that the implementation of a drug-free workplace translates to dollars in your paychecks and money in your pocket!
Five Components of a Qualified Drug-Free Workplace Program >>
How to Implement a Drug-Free Workplace >>