BLR’s Human Resources Training Presentations in Texas

1. BLR’s Human ResourcesTraining Presentations in Texas Substance Abuse in the Workplace

2. Goals • Understand that substance abuse is a major problem in the workplace • Recognize the signs of substance abuse • Know how to deal with abuse problems effectively to assist employees while protecting the interests of co-workers and the company • Understand Texas laws governing substance abuse

3. The Scope of the Problem • Substance abuse is one ofthe most serious problems facing employers • 10 percent of workers have a problem • Most substance abusers are employed • Anyone can be a substance abuser

4. The Cost of Substance Abuse • Substance abuse costs over $50 billion annually • Substance abusers are less productive, lose more time from work, and have more accidents • 40 percent of industrial fatalities are linked to substance abuse • 47 percent of all occupational accidents can be attributed to substance abuse • Substance abuse also leads to theft and crime in the workplace

5. Drug-Free Workplace Act • Written policy • Awareness program • Reporting requirements • Disciplinary action • Rehabilitation

6. Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 Requires: • Notification to employees about policy • Establishment of drug-free awareness program • Copy to all employees • Penalties imposed

7. You Play a Key Role • Promote awareness of the problem • Communicate company policy about substance abuse in the workplace • Monitor employee performance • Refer abusers to professionals for assistance • Administer appropriate discipline

8. Confidentiality • Employee privacy requirements • People in the information loop • Beneficial effects of confidentiality

9. Documentation • Documenting performance • Recording on-the-job incidents • Recognizing patterns of behavior • Increasing the possibility of early intervention • Keeping a record of supporting actions and recommendations

10. Detecting Substance Abuse • Abuse may not be obvious • Abusers try to hide their problem • Co-workers may be reluctant to speak up • Family and friends may be involved in secrecy and denial • Performance monitoring is the key to detection

11. Alcohol Abuse • Why people abuse alcohol • Profile of an alcoholic • Alcoholic progression

12. Early Warning Signs of Alcohol Problems • Inexplicable fall-off of work efficiency • Frequent tardiness • Excessive use of sick days • Sudden decisions to use vacation time • Involvement in accidents, near misses, and errors

13. Other Early Warning Signs of Alcohol Problems • Fatigue • Weight loss • Facial changes • Mental slowdown • Heavy use of breath sweeteners

14. Impairment in Social Functioning • Low tolerance for frustration • Impulsiveness • “Know it all” attitude • Anxiety • Oversensitivity

15. Impairment in Social Functioning (cont.) • Isolation • Defiance • Mood swings • Rationalization • Dependency

16. Drug Abuse • Profile of a drug abuser • Forms of drug abuse • Safety concerns • Quality and productivity concerns

17. Early Warning Signs of Drug Abuse • Otherwise inexplicable changes in performance • Excessive tardiness and absenteeism • Increased number of accidents or near misses • Changes in appearance • Attitudinal extremes

18. Early Warning Signs of Drug Abuse (cont.) • Mood swings • False confidence • Mental slowdown • Secrecy

19. Common Drugs in the Workplace • Marijuana • Cocaine • Heroin • Amphetamines (aka “speed” or “uppers”) • Prescription drugs

20. Be Prepared to Act if You Suspect Substance Abuse • Never ignore a problem • Talk to the employee privately • Give the employee an opportunity to respond • Alert the employee to programs within and outside the organization that can help • Emphasize that employee must meet established standards • Monitor employee’s performance and behavior

21. How to Handle a Substance Abuse Crisis • Signs of a crisis • Call in your manager or another supervisor • Quietly remove the employee • Recommend a medical evaluation • If the employee refuses medical evaluation • Document the incident

22. Substance Abuse Checklist 1. Are you familiar with the company’s policies regarding the use, possession, or sale of drugs or alcohol on the premises? YES NO 2. Are you familiar with the terms and require-ments of the Drug-Free Workplace Act? Does it apply to your company? Have youfulfilled your responsibilities in the mandated drug-free awareness program? YES NO 3. Do you remind your employees about company policy on a regular basis (at least once a month)? YES NO

23. Substance Abuse Checklist (cont.) 4. Do you distribute and post information about substance abuse as requested by HR? YES NO 5. Do you know how and to whom to refer employees with substance abuse problems? YES NO 6.Do you know what to do in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency? YES NO 7. Are you familiar with the symptoms of alcohol abuse? YES NO

24. Substance Abuse Checklist (cont.) 8. Are you familiar with the symptoms of drug abuse? YES NO 9. Are you aware of the people in your depart-ment who are taking prescription drugs that might affect their performance? YES NO 10. Do you document incidents that might be alcohol- or drug-related, including date, time, and witnesses? YES NO

25. Substance Abuse Checklist (cont.) 11. Do you have those involved in these incidents attest to your reports? YES NO 12. Do you maintain confidentiality in your handling of suspected substance abuse problems (except as required by the reporting requirements of the law and company policy)? YES NO

26. Substance Abuse and Texas Employment Laws • Texas Commission on Human Rights Act • ADA • Workers’ Compensation

27. Drug-Free Workplace Policy • Employers covered • Written substance abuse policy • Intoxication defined • Drug testing and rehabilitation not required

28. Drug Testing in Texas • No comprehensive drug-testing law • Drug testing and workers’ compensation • Refusal to submit to drug test • Preemployment drug screening

29. Small Business Administration Grants • Drug-free workplace demonstration program • Assistance for small businesses in Texas • Qualifications of consultants • Program requirements

30. Goals • Understand that substance abuse is a major problem in the workplace • Recognize the signs of substance abuse • Know how to deal with abuse problems effectively to assist employees while protecting the interests of co-workers and the company • Understand Texas laws governing substance abuse

31. Summary • Substance abuse is a growing problem that threatens the safety, security, and prosperity of our company and our employees • Employees with substance abuse problems may become safety and/or performance problems • Texas employers must take appropriate measures to deal with substance abuse

32. Summary (cont.) • You play an important role in detecting the signs of substance abuse, documenting problem behavior, and helping employees get professional assistance • You can never afford to ignore a suspected substance abuse problem • Take appropriate action quickly so employees can get the help they need, and you can maintain the safety and productivity of your company

33. Quiz 1. Two of the most common signs of substance abuse are frequent ________ and _______. 2. Most substance abusers are unemployed. True or False 3. As many as ____ percent of American workers have a substance abuse problem.

34. Quiz (cont.) 4. Your role in managing workplace substance abuse includes: ___________, ___________, _____________, _____________, and _____________. 5. Employee privacy laws require you to keep information about an employee’s substance abuse confidential, except for talking to your manager and the healthcare professionals involved in treating the employee. True or False

35. Quiz (cont.) 6. Detecting substance abuse is often difficult because _______________. 7. When you suspect a substance abuse problem based on performance or one of the other warning signs, you should take swift action, including: _____________, _____________, ____________, _____________, and _____________.

36. Quiz (cont.) 8. In a crisis situation where an employee appears to be under the influence and may be endangering himself/herself and other employees, you should contact your manager immediately and quietly remove the employee from the work area. True or False 9. List three warning signs of substance abuse that might apply to either employees with an alcohol problem or employees with a drug problem. ____________ , ____________, ____________

37. Quiz (cont.) 10. Substance abusers frequently blame others for their mistakes. True or False

38. Quiz Answers 1. Two of the most common signs of substance abuse are frequent tardiness and absenteeism. 2. False. Most substance abusers are employed. 3. As many as 10 percent of American workers reportedly have a substance abuse problem—and this figure is probably on the low side.

39. Quiz Answers (cont.) 4. Your role in managing workplace substance abuse includes promoting awareness of the problem, communicating company policy concerning substance abuse, monitoring employee performance, referring abusers to professionals for assistance, and administering discipline when necessary. 5. True. Confidentiality is absolutely required.

40. Quiz Answers (cont.) 6. Detecting substance abuse is often difficult because most abusers try to hide their problem. 7. When you suspect a substance abuse problem, you should talk to the employee privately, give the employee an opportunity to respond, alert the employee to programs within and outside the organization that can help, emphasize that the employee must meet established standards, and monitor the employee’s performance and behavior carefully.

41. Quiz Answers (cont.) 8. True. You should get your manager or another supervisor to observe the employee, and if you both agree that the employee is under the influence and poses a danger, remove the employee quietly but immediately from the work area.

42. Quiz Answers (cont.) 9. Substance abusers often exhibit (1) weight loss; (2) facial changes, such as poor skin tone and unhealthy color; and (3) mental slowdown in which normally sharp individuals have difficulty grasping simple facts, responding intelligently, and communicating clearly. 10. True. Substance abusers tend to rationalize their problems by blaming others for their mistakes and misfortunes.