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Program evaluation is an
important part of any drug-free workplace program. Periodic evaluation
lets you know if you are saving money and improving your bottom
line. It also helps to ensure that you are meeting your goals of
a drug- and alcohol-free workplace.
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Summary
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You can evaluate your program
in several ways. Some employers hire a consultant, while others
elect to conduct their own evaluations. For organizations with limited
resources, self-evaluation is the most likely option. Use the following
guidelines to conduct a basic evaluation of your program:
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Details
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Establish a baseline; in other words, assess your organization as
it is today. Specifically, check your company records for the past
two years and compute the incidence and prevalence of some or all
of the following indicators of drug and/or alcohol abuse:
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absenteeism;
- tardiness;
- use of health care benefits;
- Workers’ Compensation claims;
- theft;
- accidents;
- turnover.
• Estimate the costs
of these factors in dollars if possible. If records are not available
for years past, start tracking the trends now. Also talk to employees
at all levels of the organization to assess the current overall
morale of the staff. This will give you baseline data for determining
the impact of your program during the coming years.
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Step
One |
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you have not already begun your drug- and alcohol-free workplace program,
do it now.
• Review the records
at the end of the first year (and in subsequent years) for the factors
listed above. Also reassess employee morale. Compare the results
to your baseline data. Have there been any changes?
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Step
Two |
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Revisit your original goals to determine the success of your program.
• Ask employees and
supervisors for their feedback on the impact of the policy and/or
program. Cost savings may take some time to accrue, but improved
employee morale may be evident right away.
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Step
Three |
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Establish a plan for assessing the cost/benefits of continuing your
drug- and alcohol-free workplace program. |
Step
Four |
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• Use the results to
modify your program. Establish a regular review period, perhaps
annually, and use that time to assess the progress of the program.
• Determine the steps
needed in the next year to reach your program goals.
• Consider speaking
with employees at all levels of the workforce to assist in both
the ongoing evaluation and the implementation of program changes.
It is important when evaluating
your program that you consider any changes in laws, established
procedures, and accepted practices in this area and that you make
needed changes.
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Step
Five |
