Managing Substance Abuse in the Workplace

PROMOTING A HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE ENVIRONMENT

March 14th, 2024

A 5-Hour Live Virtual Seminar

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Event Details

Drug and alcohol misuse in the workplace poses many risks for the organization, their employees, managers and others who interact with the company and its workforce.

The problems of substance abuse cross all industries and environments. Some industries such as construction and petrochemicals have noticeably higher rates of substance abuse than educational services and public administration however there is no part of the economy unaffected.

The misuse of drugs and alcohol impacts workplace safety, productivity and quality and increases the risk of behaviors and misconduct that can damage an organization’s reputation and workplace culture. 

Substance misuse training for employees reinforces an organization’s efforts to raise awareness and destigmatize substance use disorders and sends a strong message that maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace is everyone’s responsibility.

As a manager or supervisor, you have an essential role in dealing with substance abuse problems in the workplace and are likely responsible for implementing many elements of drug/alcohol policies, and programs. It is likely that at some point you will encounter employees with alcohol or drug-related issues resulting in performance, conduct, and leave issues.

At this comprehensive one-day seminar you will acquire an understanding of what substance misuse is and the workplace safety issues associated with both legal and illegal substances. You will learn to identify the warning signs of a substance misuse problem and most importantly you will develop constructive ways to respond. Poor performance should not be allowed to reach a critical stage before intervention is attempted.

The course covers these topics and more:

• Negative effects of drug and alcohol use in the workplace

• The cost of substance abuse in the workplace
• Recognizing observable behaviors that may mean an employee is impaired by alcohol and/or drugs

• behavioral Impact – carelessness, risk-taking, declining performance, as well as a failure to follow rules and safety procedures

• How substance abuse affects the workplace

• Documenting work-related issues stemming from drugs and alcohol
• What to do if a co-worker appears impaired

• How to spot signs of drug and alcohol abuse

• How to report drug and alcohol-related concerns

• What is the reasonable suspicion standard? 

• How to report drug and alcohol-related concerns

• The critical importance of a Substance Abuse Policy

• The essential elements of a comprehensive Substance Abuse Policy
• The importance of preventative measures and early intervention
• Understanding and consistently enforcing your company's substance abuse policy
  
• Testing policies and consequences of violations
• Scenarios that illustrate procedures for confronting an employee who may be impaired
• Safety and other risks associated with drugs and alcohol in the workplace

• How implementing a workplace drug and alcohol program can help shield an employer from liability

  
  

Forty-seven percent of serious workplace accidents and more than one-third

of workplace fatalities involve drugs or alcohol.

Research indicates that 15% to 17% of employees negatively affect their organization’s success as a result of substance abuse. Indeed, the Small Business Administration reports that, on average, an employee engaged in inappropriate substance use costs their employer $7,000 to $25,000 annually, and the human costs are even greater.

In the case of major accidents resulting from employee impairment, the liability costs

can be substantial where it can be shown that the employer did not implement and

communicate a drug and alcohol policy.

Few managers, supervisors or business owners will be unaffected by this issue in their work environment. Knowing how to effectively and professionally deal with substance abuse is not just important; it is an imperative.

At this intensive one-day course, Patrick Douglas will not just show you how to identify and confront substance abuse; he will provide best practices for effectively dealing with this critical workplace reality, including the creation of a formal substance abuse policy.