Smart Business Magazine, May 2018

62 Smart Business Cleveland May 2018 A G U I D E T O O P E N E N R O L L M E N T 2 0 1 8 D rug abuse in your workplace may be more prevalent than you think 15 to 17 percent of employees in an average U S company are substance abusers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Thats why the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and organizations like Working Partners are striving to make workplaces drug free A drug free workplace program is an important safety tool to help control an employers workers compensation costs and operating costs associated with drug use such as theft lost productivity etc says Ron Suttles interim chief of Employer Services By deterring drug and alcohol use in the workplace an employer may prevent an accident from happening In addition your company can participate in the BWCs Drug Free Safety Program through which the employer receives a rebate bonus upon successful completion of the program year The program is open to state fund employers who pay workers compensation into the state insurance fund and includes private employers and public employer taxing districts Self insured employers may participate but are not eligible for the program bonus The program offers up to a 4 or 7 percent bonus depending upon the level of program participation and compatibility with other BWC safety programs Employers are required to submit an annual report to verify they are meeting program requirements Implementing a drug free program in your workplace is simple says Dee Mason founder and CEO of Working Partners which provides drug free workplace consulting and training While Working Partners is not directly affiliated with the BWC it does provide technical assistance There are five elements of a comprehensive drug free workplace program A written substance abuse policy This should summarize the program include the responsibilities of employers and employees outline prohibited conduct and consequences explain the circumstances of testing and reference available help Employee awareness and education Employees need to be aware of the policy and its provisions Supervisor training Supervisors should learn about the impact of drugs and alcohol in the workplace how to recognize document and confront a possible substance abuse problem develop the company policy learn how to refer an employee to resources and testing and how to support a recovering employee An employee assistance plan of action Employers need to identify a plan of action and resources for employees who seek their own help are referred by management for a possible alcohol or drug problem or have a positive alcohol or drug test Drug and alcohol testing as appropriate Your company must decide when it will test employees who will be tested what drugs will be tested for what the appropriate cut off levels are and what protocols and laboratory will be used Many businesses may think the cost to implement such a program outweighs the benefits but that is not the case The rebate bonus is intended to incent employers to do the right thing Suttles says The benefit of the program is long term and difficult at times to quantify since claim preventions benefits are nebulous but they are much greater than the rebate bonus in terms of lost productivity and pilferage Mason says the program this year has been expanded to include more employers Previously some employers were unable to receive a BWC Drug Free Safety Program rebate bonus if they were already receiving other incentives but now they can For example state funded grouprated employers were previously unable to receive the incentive but now qualify Substance abuse crackdown Drug free safety programs provide discounts prevent accidents TO LEARN MORE about the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Drug Free Safety Program and how to implement a program at your workplace visit bit ly aw8xeb or call 800 644 6292 To learn more about Working Partners visit workingpartners com or call 614 337 8200 WANT TO SELECT A NEW MCO Employers that decide to select a new MCO can complete the MCO Selection Form found at bwc ohio gov employer forms MCOSelection or in the MCO Selection Guide An online form is available or you can download a blank form and mail or fax it to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation The mailing address is Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Policy Processing 30 W Spring St 22nd floor Columbus OH 43215 2256 The fax number is 614 719 5313