The Party Never Stops for Some Employees

JODI MATHY
Post Loss Specialist, HNI

Here is a frightening statistic: 75% of substance abusers are currently employed. When these same employees arrive for work, they don’t leave their problems at the door. It is no coincidence that industries with the highest rates of drug use are the same as those at a high risk for work injuries.

Employers pay a high price for alcohol and drug abuse. Low employee morale, high illness rates, increased absences, accidents and errors are just some of the effects businesses feel as a result of abuse.

Drug-Free Workplace Programs

Drug-free workplace programs are natural complements to other initiatives that help ensure safe and healthy workplaces. There are important benefits for employers with a successful drug-free workplace program in place. They result in:

• Improvements in morale, productivity, decreases in absences, turnover, theft and costly accidents.

• Decreased use of health benefits by some employees and an increase in healthy lifestyles.

• Financial incentives, such as decreased costs for workers’ compensation and other insurance.

Another valuable resource for implementing a drug-free workplace program at your company is the U.S. Department of Labor’s Working Partners.  And, as always, your HNI Relationship Manager can offer guidance on this and other ways to mitigate risk.