Drug-Free Workplace Premium Credit Program

THE BENEFITS OF GOING DRUG-FREE

If you are in business, it's time you know the facts.... The available data continue to indicate that substance abuse has a significant impact in the workplace, with costs estimated at over $100 billion annually.

Data shows that:

• Seventy-one percent of illegal drug users are employed.

• Alcoholism causes 500 million lost workdays each year.

• Drug and alcohol-related problems are one of the four top reasons for

the rise in workplace violence.

• Of those who called the cocaine helpline, 75 percent reported using drugs

on the job, 64 percent admitted drugs adversely affected their job

performance, 44 percent sold drugs to other employees, and 18 percent

had stolen from co-workers to support their drug habit.

• A study conducted by the Institute for Health Policy, Brandeis University,

found substance abuse to be the number one health problem in the

country, resulting in more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities than any other

preventable health condition.

IMPLEMENTING A WORKERS' COMPENSATION DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE PROGRAM CAN SAVE YOU $$$$$

An employer that implements a Drug-Free Workplace Program and becomes a carrier certified drug-free workplace may be protected (in most cases) from workplace accidents that are a result of employees working under the influence of 6 drugs or alcohol. Studies have shown a well-planned program to reduce substance abuse can increase productivity, reduce accidents, and decrease costs due to insurance claims. An employer implementing this program will also receive additional benefits:

• All employees will become more aware of the importance of safety in

  the workplace and will benefit from a safer work environment.

• When an employee incurs a work-related injury, and refuses to take a

  drug test when requested, the injured employee may forfeit eligibility for

  workers' compensation benefits regardless of the cause of the accident.

• An employee who loses a job or is denied employment as a result of a

  positive drug/alcohol test, may not qualify for unemployment

  compensation benefits. In that case, the contributory employer could be

  relieved of charges in connection with the unemployment claim.

• If drugs are found in the employee's system at or above threshold

  levels, the injured employee may not be entitled to workers'

  compensation benefits (Note: Case law may affect the injured

  employee's eligibility to benefits). This benefit is provided to

  employers who are carrier certified and in compliance with the

  program. If the employer is not carrier certified as a drug-free

  workplace, and the injured employee is able to show that the cause

  of the accident was not related to the presence of drugs in his/her

  system (i.e., if a heavy piece of equipment falls on the worker

  through no fault of his or her own), he or she may still be entitled to

  benefits.

• If you implement a drug-free workplace program and become carrier

  certified, you are eligible for a 5 percent credit to your workers'

  compensation insurance premium.

To become eligible for this credit your group needs to partner with an EAP. 

Recently, changes for providing a Drug Free Workplace require employers to have an EAP as part of their employee benefit offerings. Northstar is ready and able to partner with Florida businesses of all sizes. We have a Small Business Employee Assistance Product and can work with enterprise/large groups also. EAP is more than a mental health intervention for the workplace, it's an 'Everything Assistance Program' for the workplace.