Roane Chamber Lunch and Learn Workshop Series - Tennessee Drug Free Workplace Program

The Tennessee Drug Free Workplace Program is designed to increase productivity for Tennessee employers and promote safe work sites for employees by promoting drug- and alcohol-free workplaces.  

Presented by W. Lance Wheaton, Program Coordinator, Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
 
Work sites where workers are not impaired by drugs and alcohol are safer work sites and can operate in an enhanced competitive position that is free from the costs, delays and tragedies that accompany workplace accidents resulting from substance abuse related injuries.
 
If these are not reasons enough to participate in the program, consider:

• Workmen’s 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 Worker's 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.

• Advantages of being a TN Drug-Free Workplace
• Training, Awareness and Testing Programs
• Suggestions about writing your Substance Abuse Policy
• Recommendations for Implementing the Program
• How to complete the application to be a TN Drug-Free Workplace