Drug Free Workplace Is Priority in Difficult Economic Times But Change Is Not Easy

2009 Drug Free Work Week 10/19-10/25, HI-LITES

These are the final myths and tips of our week-long presentation for a drug-free workplace.  Hopefully you received some good ideas for implementation.  Be sure to visit our website for a list of U.S. laws, state-by-state, listed below.

Myth:    Most companies manage change well, and incremental, slower transitions will improve the chances for success.
Reality:  No, and no!  *McKinsey’s Classic Change Study (2008) found change is successfully managed only 33% of the time and “bigger and timely” transitions predict success.
Employer Tip:  When initiating or refining DFW programs, consult with both workplace addiction and change-management experts.
*[ Creating Organizational Transformations: McKinsey Global Survey Results - August 2008 ]

Myth:    In this economy, workplace addiction should become a less important priority, particularly for retrenched companies unable to increase market share.
Reality:  These unprecedented times underscore the quintessential value of employees and the P&L’s bottom-line. For retrenched companies, addressing DFW improves morale/productivity and reduces major expenses (saves jobs). For growing businesses, improving DFW adds to company valuation, reduces risk and improves employee engagement (company of choice).  (workersxzcompxzkit)
Employer Tip:   Learn as much as possible about workplace addiction.  Consult with the many free resources available, including web-sites sponsored by the US Department of Labor (Partners for a Drug Free Workplace) and SAMHSA.

Authors: Bill White MSN and Katharine White MSN

About the authors: K & B White are leadership entrepreneurs who co-founded DFW-Renaissance Inc. (www.dfw-r.com) and co-developed managerial science innovation DFW-R Lean Culture^TM (to create/sustain highly engaged drug free workforces). Both are former hospital C-Suite executives with extensive drug treatment, leadership and behavioral health experience. Look for their upcoming headline article in DATIA Focus on DFW Culture Change and Employee Morale. They can be reached by email at billtwhite@cox.net and phone at 401-615-8775.