Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy

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OASP Press Release: Online Advisor Helps Employers Create Drug-Free Workplace Programs
Demonstration Will Be Available at 21st Century Workforce Summit [06/15/2001]

WASHINGTON-- The U.S. Department of Labor recently expanded its online Drug-Free Workplace Advisor to include a powerful new feature-the Program Builder. The Builder gives employers the ability to develop customized drug-free workplace programs for their companies. This new interactive tool guides employers through the components of a written drug-free workplace policy and generates a policy statement based on their selection of options offered by the Program Builder.

Other recently added features include supervisor training and employee education resources on alcohol and drug abuse, including ready-to-use presentation and training materials that feature PowerPoint slides, overheads and handouts. In addition, the Advisor contains information about Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and drug testing services.

The Drug-Free Workplace Advisor also helps employers determine if and how they must comply with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.

The Drug-Free Workplace Advisor is one of several online Advisors, known as elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses), which provide small businesses with free and easily accessible information regarding employment laws administered by DOL. Elaws Advisors are written in a simple and direct format intended to increase employee and employer awareness of workplace laws, rights and responsibilities.

Visitors to the Summit on the 21st Century Workforce, June 20 at the MCI Arena in Washington, D.C., will be able to query this and other electronic advisors at a special elaws booth.

"The Advisor provides free resources about the many benefits of drug-free workplaces but also provides free resources, including training materials, to help employers develop or expand programs for their companies," Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Labor Dr. Roland G. Droitsch said. "This service should be especially helpful for small businesses, which happen to be most vulnerable to workplace drug and alcohol abuse".

Currently, 24 elaws Advisors are available online and representing regulations from several DOL agencies, including the Employment Standards Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration and Veterans' Employment and Training Service. The elaws Advisors can be accessed from the DOL Web site at www.dol.gov/elaws.

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