Workplace Substance Abuse
If you have employees whose job performance is being affected by their drinking or drug use, there are steps that you can take to solve the problem.
Federal Workplace Drug Testing Expanded
The U.S. government has expanded its drug testing procedures for all federal employees to include tests for a wider range of illicit substances, including some popular "club drugs" such as Ecstasy.
The U.S. government has expanded its drug testing procedures for all federal employees to include tests for a wider range of illicit substances, including some popular "club drugs" such as Ecstasy.
Free Drug-Free Workplace Kit Available
A drug-free workplace kit, designed for businesses large or small, provides information, resources and tools for creating and maintaining drug-free workplace policies and programs.
A drug-free workplace kit, designed for businesses large or small, provides information, resources and tools for creating and maintaining drug-free workplace policies and programs.
Danger in the Workplace: Impaired Employees
Most of the people who use illegal drugs in the United States and approximately 15 million heavy drinkers hold full-time jobs where they pose serious problems for the health, well being and productivity of everyone around them.
Most of the people who use illegal drugs in the United States and approximately 15 million heavy drinkers hold full-time jobs where they pose serious problems for the health, well being and productivity of everyone around them.
Widely-Use EtG Test for Alcohol Unreliable
A widely-used urine test, utilized by drug-testing laboratories to detect alcohol consumption, is too inaccurate to be reliable, according to an advisory issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
A widely-used urine test, utilized by drug-testing laboratories to detect alcohol consumption, is too inaccurate to be reliable, according to an advisory issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Establishing a Policy
Establishing a workplace substance abuse program can drastically reduce costs in loss productivity and accidents.
Establishing a workplace substance abuse program can drastically reduce costs in loss productivity and accidents.
Drug Testing: Keeping it Legal
If you plan to use alcohol and drug testing as a part of a workplace substance abuse policy, there are many legal issues that must first be addressed.
If you plan to use alcohol and drug testing as a part of a workplace substance abuse policy, there are many legal issues that must first be addressed.
Hangovers - A Pain in the Workplace
Excessive drinking by employees cost businesses and industries worldwide billions of dollars in absenteeism and lost productivity, but it is not the heavy drinkers.
Excessive drinking by employees cost businesses and industries worldwide billions of dollars in absenteeism and lost productivity, but it is not the heavy drinkers.
After-Work Drinking Sessions Can Be Risky
A survey of 6,987 people who are employed full time found that 20 percent of workers regularly go for after-work drinks with co-workers, but few have found that participating in the happy hour gatherings have advanced their careers.
A survey of 6,987 people who are employed full time found that 20 percent of workers regularly go for after-work drinks with co-workers, but few have found that participating in the happy hour gatherings have advanced their careers.
Employees to Face Tougher Drug Testing
Federal employees will face tougher on-the-job drug tests beginning next year in a move that may influence more businesses to change their drug-screening tests from the standard, easy-to-fool urine test.
Federal employees will face tougher on-the-job drug tests beginning next year in a move that may influence more businesses to change their drug-screening tests from the standard, easy-to-fool urine test.
Are Your Co-Workers Stoned?
Approximately 10 percent of America's workforce, some 14.9 million full and part-time employees, regularly abuse or are dependent on alcohol or drugs, according to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Approximately 10 percent of America's workforce, some 14.9 million full and part-time employees, regularly abuse or are dependent on alcohol or drugs, according to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
As Many as 19.2 Million May Drink at Work
As estimated 15 percent, or about 19.2 million employees, drink on the job or just before going to work, but the "good news" is most of them do not do so frequently, according to the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions.
As estimated 15 percent, or about 19.2 million employees, drink on the job or just before going to work, but the "good news" is most of them do not do so frequently, according to the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions.
Russian 'Surrogate' Alcohols Are Deadly
High death rates in Russia from drinking are even worse due to the consumption of "surrogate" alcohols -- products that contain alcohol but are not intended for consumption, such as aftershave products and cleaning fluids.
High death rates in Russia from drinking are even worse due to the consumption of "surrogate" alcohols -- products that contain alcohol but are not intended for consumption, such as aftershave products and cleaning fluids.
The Problem in the Workplace
Alcohol and drug abuse by employees cause many expensive problems for business and industry.
Alcohol and drug abuse by employees cause many expensive problems for business and industry.
Alcohol and the Workplace
Drinking among U.S. workers can threaten public safety, impair job performance, and result in costly medical, social, and other problems.
Drinking among U.S. workers can threaten public safety, impair job performance, and result in costly medical, social, and other problems.
Construction Tops List of Industries with Problem Drinking
The construction and mining fields have the highest percentage of problem drinkers, with nearly one in seven workers having a serious alcohol problem, according to a new ranking of industry-based problem drinking patterns.
The construction and mining fields have the highest percentage of problem drinkers, with nearly one in seven workers having a serious alcohol problem, according to a new ranking of industry-based problem drinking patterns.
Hangovers: Acetaldehyde May Be the Culprit
A recent study found that acetaldehyde -- the first product of alcohol metabolism -- leads to hangovers in alcohol drinkers with a particular genotype. Drinkers can experience cardiovascular complications, drowsiness, nausea, asthma and facial flushing.
A recent study found that acetaldehyde -- the first product of alcohol metabolism -- leads to hangovers in alcohol drinkers with a particular genotype. Drinkers can experience cardiovascular complications, drowsiness, nausea, asthma and facial flushing.
Family Substance Abuse Affects American Workers
More than one-third of employees report that at least one of their coworkers had been distracted, less productive, or missed work because of alcohol or drug abuse or addiction within their family.
More than one-third of employees report that at least one of their coworkers had been distracted, less productive, or missed work because of alcohol or drug abuse or addiction within their family.
New Rules for Federal Workplace Drug Testing
SAMSHA is proposing a new rule that would allow federal agencies to use sweat, saliva and hair in federal drug testing programs that now only test urine.
SAMSHA is proposing a new rule that would allow federal agencies to use sweat, saliva and hair in federal drug testing programs that now only test urine.
But Not In My Back Shop!
Nearly one in four human resources professionals surveyed reveal that their companies are less likely to hire a job candidate if the person is in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction – even though 89 percent believe treatment is effective.
Nearly one in four human resources professionals surveyed reveal that their companies are less likely to hire a job candidate if the person is in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction – even though 89 percent believe treatment is effective.
How Effective Are Current EAPs?
While more than 80 million Americans now have access to Employee Assistance Programs, little current scientific research exists to determine how well these employer-paid benefits are serving workers with alcohol problems.
While more than 80 million Americans now have access to Employee Assistance Programs, little current scientific research exists to determine how well these employer-paid benefits are serving workers with alcohol problems.
The Costs of Substance Abuse
Alcoholism and Substance Abuse cost society a staggering amount each year in healthcare and lost productivity.
Alcoholism and Substance Abuse cost society a staggering amount each year in healthcare and lost productivity.
Depression in the Workplace
Success in the work environment depends on everyone's contribution. That's why no one in the workplace can afford to ignore depression.
Success in the work environment depends on everyone's contribution. That's why no one in the workplace can afford to ignore depression.
Companies Cut Down on Booze Parties
Due to the lowering of the blood alcohol level standard for drunken driving and more liability lawsuits holding them accountable, many companies are cutting back or eliminating altogether alcohol at company events.
Due to the lowering of the blood alcohol level standard for drunken driving and more liability lawsuits holding them accountable, many companies are cutting back or eliminating altogether alcohol at company events.
Court Side Steps ADA Issue
A case that was thought to become a landmark case regarding the rights of recovering alcoholics and addicts under the Americans With Disabilities Act fizzled out when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a company refused to rehire a former employee for legitimate reasons.
A case that was thought to become a landmark case regarding the rights of recovering alcoholics and addicts under the Americans With Disabilities Act fizzled out when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a company refused to rehire a former employee for legitimate reasons.
Harassing Under the Influence
A new Cornell University study shows that when alcohol consumption in and around the workplace increases, so does the risk of harassment of women by male co-workers.
A new Cornell University study shows that when alcohol consumption in and around the workplace increases, so does the risk of harassment of women by male co-workers.
Navy's Anti-Drug Effort Proves Effective
When the U.S. Navy began its random drug testing for all personnel in 1982 the rate of positive samples was 7.21 percent. After 21 years of the urinalysis screenings, less than one half of one percent now come back positive.
When the U.S. Navy began its random drug testing for all personnel in 1982 the rate of positive samples was 7.21 percent. After 21 years of the urinalysis screenings, less than one half of one percent now come back positive.
Legal Advocacy Network
Established in 1995 as a legal defense program for addicted workers unable to afford qualified legal representation.
Established in 1995 as a legal defense program for addicted workers unable to afford qualified legal representation.
Alcohol Cost Calculator for Business
The Alcohol Cost Calculator for Business, from Ensuring Solutions for Alcohol Problems, is an invaluable tool for businesses seeking to understand the costs, financial and otherwise, of alcohol problems in their workplaces.
The Alcohol Cost Calculator for Business, from Ensuring Solutions for Alcohol Problems, is an invaluable tool for businesses seeking to understand the costs, financial and otherwise, of alcohol problems in their workplaces.
Pros and Cons of Testing
You must avoid violating employees' privacy rights if you plan to institute a drug/alcohol testing policy, says the AHI Employment Law Resource Center.
You must avoid violating employees' privacy rights if you plan to institute a drug/alcohol testing policy, says the AHI Employment Law Resource Center.