Drug Free Policy Creation

A. The US Department of Labor recommends that supervisors suspicious of abuse should escort the employee to a private area to ask about the employee's behavior. If possible, the supervisor should call in another supervisor or manager who can serve as a witness to the conversation. Then, the supervisor should inform the employee of his or her concerns and allow the employee to give an explanation. Based on the outcome, the supervisor should notify senior management, who may or may not decide to place the employee on suspension pending a formal investigation. If a suspension is mandated, management should arrange for the employee to be escorted home-after all, if the employee is not in satisfactory shape to work, he or she is in no shape to drive themselves anywhere.

A. An organization can decide individually how to handle its Drug-Free Workplace program. Many companies focus on the detection, apprehension, and termination of employees caught abusing drugs or alcohol. On the other hand, other organizations emphasize obtaining treatment and assistance, and provide return-to-work programs for abusing employees. It is the determination of each organization how to handle their policy and program.