Educating Your Employees

In order to educate your employees about your business's stance on substance abuse and any program you may have, you should:

• Tell new hires about the policy (orientation is a good place for this).
• Periodically remind current employees about your commitment to making the program work.

An education and awareness program can:

• Explain your policy to your employees and the consequences of using drugs, on or off the job.
• Tell your employees how to get help with their drug and alcohol problems.
• Inform employees on how drugs and alcohol actually affect the business's productivity, product quality, absenteeism, health care costs, or on-the-job injury rate.
• Explain testing procedures, if you have any, with special attention to the consequences of testing positive and procedures for ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.