Employee Handbooks / Drug Testing / UA

[Greg Swartz]

So, some of you remember my post (about a special employee) that needed to be deleted due to Google reasons...

Well, that employee is no longer with us.

However, due to the sensitive items involved, we got an employee handbook in place. (35 pages!)

One of the items in the handbook states that we are a drug free company, and that all employees must pass a UA.

We're working on a safety manual right now. We're at page 91 and still going!

So, how many of you out there have company handbooks? How many of you require a UA?

What about a safety manual?

Also, any suggestions regarding specific material that you think would be good to add to any of these items would be greatly appreciated.

Greg

 

[walkerj]

We have all of the above.

The company I work for was formed by a few industrial guys so they are big on that kind of stuff which is unusual for comm/resi outfits in this area.

Works for me

 

[Duke E]

I don’t presently require any testing, yet. My last employer of 13ish years began requiring random UA testing after another employee overdosed while at home. This incident brought to light the prevalence of the drug problem within that company. A company of 50+ workers and there were possibly 8 that were clean, myself being one.

Some hurdles we had:
• Most employees knew how to beat the test. (I wont list how)
• Testing costs money, to be effective you need to be consistent.
• Hours off the job, average testing was an hour (with travel time).

After the first round of testing, those that used drugs in a recreational or consistent manor tested negative, with the exception of one. He was allowed to re-test 30 days later and passed. If you begin to require drug testing be sure that there is a firm protocol set for those that test positive and don’t deviate from it. Be prepared to deal with your worst apprentice and top man alike.

And good luck; may the force be with you.

As for handbooks, I don't have one yet. It's likely to be in the works until I am in need of it.

 

[Mule]

I would hate to have an employee representing my company that had any kind of substance abuse problem.....he would be gone faster than a lighting bolt one way or another, because I would not stand for it. I understand that folks have problems, but not at the expense of my business and name.... If that person honestly cleaned up his/her act, they could re-apply.

We dont have employees, however all of the companies that I have worked for, all had everything you mentioned.

 

[satcom]

Any employee manual has to be presented to our insurance underwriters for approval, one wrong word, or statement can cost both you and your company big bucks

 

[cschmid]

You can purchase a generic copy of the policies and procedures required and get help from NECA. or atleast you used to beable to.

I know in our litigious society you need to cover your bases always. one time and you might survive the legal battle..

 

[Greg Swartz]

...The company I work for was formed by a few industrial guys so they are big on that kind of stuff which is unusual for comm/resi outfits in this area...

I see that a lot. I don't understand if Resi people think they are expempt from issues, or they don't make enough, or what the deal is. Maybe because it's not a requirement.

...Some hurdles we had:
• Most employees knew how to beat the test. (I wont list how)

That was one of my concerns... so no one knew we were doing this.
I had a meeting on Monday morning. Had every guy on the jobsite come down from the job to the trailer, had a talk about the NEW company manual. Told everyone to enjoy a bottle of water, this could be a while, and then had the UA.

...And good luck; may the force be with you.

I don't need luck or the force!
I have the SWARTZ!

Any employee manual has to be presented to our insurance underwriters for approval, one wrong word, or statement can cost both you and your company big bucks

I think I will take your comment there, and run my manual past my insurance now. Thanks.

 

[nakulak]

it pays to have a manual, since it is ultimately a liability issue. for example, it can save you from frivilous lawsuits. the downside is that you need to read it once in a while and apply it equitably to your employees, because if you show favoritism in one case, but try to apply it in others, then it will not stand up in court. also, If you do gov. or utility jobs you might as well have it, because you have to enforce all their rules anyway (which amounts to the same thing as having a manual of your own).

 

[Rewire]

We have a yearly UA and mandatory if you have an on job accident all of this is spelled out in our company hand book.I went for several years without any written policy until our new office manager pointed out that the bigger my company got so was the exposure.Our policy does allow for an employee to seek help without fear of loosing their job it also spells out the steps we take prior to termination.