Promoting a Substance-free Workplace

Substance abuse is a pervasive problem in society, so it's no surprise that it carries over into the workplace. Substance abusers are more likely to be late or absent from work, change jobs frequently, be less productive, and be involved in workplace accidents. They also tend to have other personal problems outside of work as a result of the substance abuse, which further impairs their ability to concentrate on their work. Successful substance-free workplace programs can result in decreased absenteeism, fewer accidents, less downtime, reduced turnover, and fewer incidents of theft, as well as improving morale and productivity for all employees. This course is designed to provide employees and supervisors with an understanding of the benefits of a substance-free work environment, to help them understand the impact substances have in the workplace and recognize signs of employee substance abuse. This course was developed with subject matter support provided by the Labor & Employment Law Group of the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC. Please note, however, that the course materials and content are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Nothing herein, or in the course materials, shall be construed as professional advice as to any particular situation or constitute a legal opinion with respect to compliance with any federal, state, or local laws. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. The information contained herein is provided only as general information that may or may not reflect the most current legal developments. This information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed in your state.