Transcript Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug

Tools and Tactics
for Educating Employers on the
Advantages of a Drug-Free
Workplace
Working Partners for an Alcohol
and Drug-Free Workplace Program
U.S. Department of Labor
DOL Approach
Encourage implementation of comprehensive
drug-free workplace programs
• Address workplace substance abuse; not just
illicit drug use
• Non-regulatory
• Protect rights of workers and employers
• Small business as primary target
• Incremental approach
Previous DOL Initiatives
• Publications and video training programs
– Useful, but ineffective distribution
• Conferences, training sessions, workshops
– Difficult to attract small business owners
• EAP Grant Program (3 year)
– Large single employers succeeded; but EAP
consortia unable to become self-sufficient
Small Business Findings
• Recognize societal substance abuse problem
-- but not in their workplace
• Not small BIG businesses
• Unsure of legal rights and obligations
• Oppose governmental regulation
• Wary of “programs”
• Look to trade associations for information
Small Business Basics
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Diversity of size, industry, management style
Scarcity of time, energy, resources
Disproportionate impact of troubled employees
“Family” orientation
Lack human resources or admin infrastructure
Few offer adequate behavioral health benefits
Need financial incentives & cost offsets
Working Partners Approach
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Industry-specific materials
Small business success stories
Focus on benefits
Inform of liabilities, legal rights/obligations
Partner with trade associations
Engage small business champions
Utilize Internet to disseminate information
DFW Program Components
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Policy and Procedures
Employee Awareness and Education
Supervisory Training
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Drug Testing
Special Concerns
• Parents as employees?
– Consider providing information to help parents talk
to their children about drugs
• Young employees?
– Household products can be abused as inhalants
Words of Caution
Drug testing  Drug-Free Workplace Program
One size does not fit all
Policy  Procedures
Accommodate incremental program
implementation
• Join forces to promote DFWP and deliver
services
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Working Partners for an Alcohol
- and Drug-Free Workplace
www.dol.gov/dol/workingpartners.htm
• Small Business Initiative
– Industry-specific materials
• Substance Abuse Information Database (SAID)
– Repository of workplace resources
• Drug-Free Workplace Advisor
– Interactive expert system
• Welfare to Work
– Improving job training, placement and retention