The U.S. Department of Labor’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program recently published a new fact sheet that addresses common pitfalls that can undermine the effectiveness of a drug-free workplace program and strategies organizations can use to avoid them.

The publication, titled Top 12 Reasons a Good Drug-Free Workplace Goes Bad, was developed by Working Partners with input from representatives of both small businesses and labor unions.  It provides guidance on how to maximize the impact of a drug-free workplace program from multiple perspectives, including safety, productivity, and employee needs and support.  As part of this, it offers countering explanations for some widespread concerns about drug testing, including perceptions about its invasiveness and lack of effectiveness.

Employers and human resource professionals are encouraged to use this publication to learn how to improve the effectiveness of their drug-free workplace efforts.  In addition, third-party service providers, including drug-testing and employee assistance program service providers, can distribute it or draw upon its content to help their clients further efforts to ensure their workplaces are safe and drug free.  

To learn about other materials available to educate employers, supervisors and employees on the value of drug-free workplaces, visit the Working Partners Web site’s Training and Educational Materials page.