Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Have you considered joining your state’s drug-free workplace program like RMP-South?
The Problem
- 60% of the world’s production of illegal drugs is consumed in the U.S.
- Nearly 70% of current users of illegal drugs are employed.
- Nearly 1 in 4 employed Americans between the ages of 18-35 have illegally used drugs in the past year
- 1/3rd of employees know of the illegal sale of drugs in their workplace.
- 20% of young workers admit using marijuana on the job.
The Costs
Even though many employers choose to ignore the problem, substance abuse in the workplace has a real impact on their bottom line. Substance abuse drains more than $100 Billion from American businesses every year in …
- WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS: 38% to 50% of all Workers’ Compensation claims are related to substance abuse in the workplace; substance abusers file three to five times as many Worker’s Compensation claims.
- MEDICAL COSTS: Substance abusers incur 300% higher medical costs than non-abusers.
- ABSENTEEISM: Substance abusers are 2.5 times more likely to be absent eight or more days a year.
- LOST PRODUCTIVITY: Substance abusers are 1/3 less productive.
- EMPLOYEE TURNOVER: It costs a business an average of $7,000 to replace a salaried worker.
The Solution: A Drug-Free Workplace Program
Companies who have a Drug Free Workplace Program will find that an investment in education, prevention, and assistance programs pays dividends for both the employer and the employee.
Drug-Free Workplace Program
As a drug-free workplace, Rolled Metal Products-South has participated in the Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace Program since 2014. As a member of the Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace Program, there are requirements to join, and requirements to remain a member, here are some to name a few…
- Complete an application
- Provide a copy of your workers’ compensation insurance
- Implement a Substance Abuse Policy
- Implement yearly random drug testing
- Implement training
- Provide resources; such as a list of healthcare providers
In essence, drug programs are worth the cost of running them to employers. They provide a safer environment for employers and increase the productivity of existing employees, which boosts revenue. In addition, managers and supervisors should be educated in how to recognize and deal with substance use issues and employees should be offered educational programs. Note it is not the role of the supervisor or employer to diagnose a possible substance use or dependency problem. Their role is to identify if an employee is impaired, and to take the appropriate steps as per the organization’s policy.
At Rolled Metal Products, we are focused on employee safety and on-going training. Topics of focus and on-going training include RACE (fire safety), Caution (safety goggles), and we have made The 5S Methodology a part of our daily practice.