About The Program

The Problems

• 60% of the world's production of illegal drugs is consumed in the U.S.
• Nearly 70% of current users of illegal drugs are employed.
• Nearly 1 in 4 employed Americans between the ages of 18 - 35 have illegally used drugs.
• 1/3 of employees know of the illegal sale of drugs in their workplace.
• 20% of young workers admit to using marijuana on the job.

* Source: 'Working Partners', National Conference Proceedings Report: sponsored by U.S. Dept. of Labor, the SBA, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

 

The Costs

Even though many employers choose to ignore the problem, substance abuse in the workplace has a real impact on their bottom line. Substance abuse drains more than $100 Billion from American businesses every year in ...

• WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS: 38% to 50% of all Workers' Compensation claims are related to substance abuse in the workplace; substance abusers file three to five times as many workers' compensation claims.
• MEDICAL COSTS: Substance abusers incur 300% higher medical costs than non-abusers.
• ABSENTEEISM: Substance abusers are 2.5 times more likely to be absent eight or more days a year.
• LOST PRODUCTIVITY: Substance abusers are 1/3 less productive.
• EMPLOYEE TURNOVER: It costs a business an average of $7,000 to replace a salaried worker.

* Source: 'Working Partners', National Conference Proceedings Report: sponsored by U.S. Dept. of Labor, the SBA, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

 

The Solution: A Drug-Free Workplace Program

Companies who have a drug-free workplace program will find that an investment in education, prevention, and assistance programs pays dividends for both the employer and the employee.   

 

The Benefits of Joining

An employer certified by the Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace Program to be a Tennessee Drug-Free participant is entitled to:

• A 5% premium credit on its workers' compensation insurance policy.
• A shift in the burden of proof in workers’ compensation claims involving a positive alcohol or drug test. If an employee is injured at work and later fails a post-accident drug/alcohol test, it is presumed that the drugs or alcohol were the proximate cause of injury. Workers’ compensation benefits can be denied until the injured employee overcomes the presumption, which requires clear and convincing evidence. 
  
• The presumption that the discharge or discipline of an employee, or the refusal to hire a job applicant, who is found to be in violation of the employer’s drug-free workplace program will be considered done for cause.  This will likely disqualify employees from receiving unemployment benefits.