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OPA News Release: [12/10/2003]
Contact Name: Peggy Abrahamson
Phone Number: (202) 693-5052

Department of Labor Encourages Employers to Send a Safe and Sober Message about Office Parties and Drinking this Holiday Season

WASHINGTON—The Department of Labor’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program has a special Web page that addresses steps employers can take during the holiday season and all year round to prevent impaired driving in their communities and send their employees a safe and sober message about workplace parties and drinking.

During the holiday season, employees and employers usually get together to celebrate. These parties typically mean lots of music, food and drinks. If the drinks include alcohol, however, office celebrations can have very unfortunate consequences. By visiting www.dol.gov/dol/workingpartners.htm and selecting “Impaired Driving” under “Special Issues,” employers can learn about several measures they can take to minimize any negative consequences of alcohol consumption, including tips for planning workplace celebrations.

Also included on the site is information about holiday-season and year-round impaired driving prevention initiatives; alcohol traffic safety facts; myths and facts about alcohol and driving; and information about Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driving While Intoxicated” (DWI) and other state impaired driving laws.

The Department’s Working Partners initiative was developed to help raise awareness about the impact drugs and alcohol have on the workplace and provide information on how to establish drug-free workplace programs that protect worker safety and health. All Working Partners tools and resources—including information about how to develop a drug-free workplace policy and ready-to-use training materials—are available online at www.dol.gov/dol/workingpartners.htm.

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