DFWP Questions

Drug Free Workplace Questions

A drug free workplace (DFWP) is a program designed to help employers establish a safer, more cost effective working environment for both the employees and the owners.  DFWP programs help deter and detect the use of illicit drugs and the problems associated with their use.  This type of program gives employers protocol to take corrective action in dealing with work related substance abuse issues.  A DFWP program protects the company from operational losses due to employees’ use of illicit drugs, while buffering your company from legal issues that can occur as a result the misuse of drugs.  A DFWP program also protects the majority of employees, who do not have a substance abuse problem, from the issues that arise with co-workers who do abuse drugs.

Companies are considered a drug free workplace if they have the following five components: DFWP policy, employee education, supervisor training, drug testing, and employee assistance programs. 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) there are approximately 17 million illicit drug users in the U.S. and over 75% of these people are employed.  The DOL also estimates that drug and alcohol abuse costs American businesses eighty-one billion dollars annually in lost productivity.  Employees who are drug free change jobs less frequently, are less likely to be late or absent from work, and are more likely to be involved in an accident.  

The Florida Workers’ Compensation Reeducation Act is a voluntary law that encourages Florida business to implement a comprehensive drug free workplace program.  Companies with drug free workplace programs receive a 5% discount on their workers’ compensation insurance. 

Companies with comprehensive drug free workplace experience a decrease in workplace accidents, employee mistakes, absenteeism, turnover and a reduction in insurance premiums.  Companies also benefit in less tangible ways such as an improved working environments and increased employee morale.  According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, approximately 40% of all workplace accidents are drug or alcohol related.  When fewer accidents that occur in a workplace, the cost for workers’ compensation insurance decreases. 

At a minimum, most companies perform pre-employment, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion testing.  Depending on their policy, many companies perform random, follow-up, and return-to-duty testing.

By failing a pre-employment test, the applicant does not meet your hiring criteria.  The company would not offer the applicant the job.  Many companies choose to allow the applicant to reapply after a waiting period determined by the employer. 

Companies have the freedom to design a DFWP policy that fits the needs of their organization.  Most companies choose either zero tolerance or second chance substance abuse policy.  If your company decides to adopt a zero tolerance policy, the employee would be terminated for failing a drug test.  If your company adopts a second chance policy, the employee is extended an offer to retain his or her job upon the agreement to enter a substance abuse program and submit to follow-up testing. 

Once a company has implemented its policy, it should start pre-employment testing immediately.  We recommend you give your current employees 30 days notice prior to beginning drug testing.

While not required, we highly recommend random drug testing.  Random drug testing is one of the most effective ways to deter workplace substance abuse.