• Menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
 
Paradigm

Amaxx Workers Comp Blog

Reduce Workers Compensation Costs By 20-50%

Header Right

  • Home
    • Training Center
  • Search
    • Free Resources & Solutions
    • Subscribe to Free Newsletter
    • Create Free Training Center Account
    • Enroll in On-Demand Courses
    • Activate WC Mastery Membership
    • Request Strategic Coaching Session
    • Buy WC Guidebooks
  • Membership
    • Insider (free account)
    • WC Mastery
    • Teams & Managers Mastery
    • Training Partners
  • Products
    • On-Demand Courses
    • Specialty Courses
    • Certifications & Mastery Courses
    • Ultimate Guidebooks
    • Coaching
  • Blog
    • Video Blogs
    • COVID-19 / Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Login

Mobile Menu

  • Home
    • Training Center
  • Search
    • Free Resources & Solutions
    • Subscribe to Free Newsletter
    • Create Free Training Center Account
    • Enroll in On-Demand Courses
    • Activate WC Mastery Membership
    • Request Strategic Coaching Session
    • Buy WC Guidebooks
  • Membership
    • Insider (free account)
    • WC Mastery
    • Teams & Managers Mastery
    • Training Partners
  • Products
    • On-Demand Courses
    • Specialty Courses
    • Certifications & Mastery Courses
    • Ultimate Guidebooks
    • Coaching
  • Blog
    • Video Blogs
    • COVID-19 / Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
You are here: Home / Work Injury Prevention / Drug, Alcohol & Impairment Testing / Employees Present (But Impaired) Cost 6.5 Times More Than Absenteeism

Employees Present (But Impaired) Cost 6.5 Times More Than Absenteeism

October 19, 2009 By //  by Bill & Katharine White Leave a Comment

2009 Drug Free Work Week 10/19-10/25, HI-LITES Myth:  Absenteeism is the leading substance addiction expense for employers. Reality:  Untrue!  It is estimated that "presenteeism" (present at work but impaired) may be 6.5X more costly than absenteeism.   In fact, many substance addicted workers are never intoxicated on the job, but are in an acute phase of detoxification, given the short acting pharmacology of alcohol and most illicit drugs.   In simplest terms, this is brain-impaired presenteeism. Employer Tip:  Be vigilant for substance related presenteeism (i.e. alcoholism: tremors, sweating, irritability, mistakes, poor judgment, injuries etc.). Best practice mandates immediate feedback re: symptoms/behaviors, and facilitated discussions with managers and staff to explore presenteeism solutions. Myth:  Recent data published in the Wall Street Journal showing a declining rate of positive urine drug tests means that workplace substance abuse is decreasing. Reality:  No scientific conclusions* can be drawn from this data about workplace substance abuse.  What definitely is true is that urine drug test adulteration and substitution is big business.  On the day this article was written, a web-search of "How to beat a urine drug test" returned 976,000 results!  These results showed how to beat employment screening, return to duty and random drug testing, even naming specific companies and their urine drug testing protocols to ensure best-practice adulteration method!  SAMHSA's substance abuse survey data shows worker substance addiction to be over 10% for decades, including the latest results from 2007 (8.8% illicit drugs and 8.9% for alcohol).  The Supreme Court shares our concern, recently ruling that regardless of company policy/preference, all workers who test positive  must be observed  during return to duty drug testing. (workersxzcompxzkit) *[The authors have contacted the Wall Street Journal Editor to clarify any misperceptions]. Employer Tip:  Consult a clinical expert about drug test contamination and the latest drug testing technologies, some of which help minimize adulteration (i.e. lab-based oral fluids testing with "non-mandated" companies).  Be cautious of any research study interpretations which do not match up with SAMHSA's data. 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 CultureTM (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.

To review laws in your state on workplace drug policies and rules for testing employees see http://reduceyourworkerscomp.com//drug-testing-state-laws.php
FREE WC IQ Test: http://www.workerscompkit.com/intro/ WCBooks: http://www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/workers-comp-books-manuals.php TD Calculator: www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/transitional-duty-cost-calculator.php

Follow Us On Twitter: www.twitter.com/WorkersCompKit Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workman's comp issues. ©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com

Filed Under: Drug, Alcohol & Impairment Testing, Medical Issues Tagged With: Absence Management, Workplace Drug Testing

Related Articles

Marijuana: A Medical Perspective — White Paper

Marijuana: A Medical Perspective — White Paper

3 Actions to Weed Out Marijuana-Related Workers’ Comp Challenges

3 Actions to Weed Out Marijuana-Related Workers’ Comp Challenges

The Impact Of Artificial Disc Technology On Work Comp

The Impact Of Artificial Disc Technology On Work Comp

Marijuana Impact on Workers Compensation

Marijuana Impact on Workers Compensation

Is Your Workplace Truly Drug-Free?

Is Your Workplace Truly Drug-Free?

The Hunt for Medical Provider Fraud

The Hunt for Medical Provider Fraud

The P’s and Q’s Of Different Types Of Drug Testing

The P’s and Q’s Of Different Types Of Drug Testing

One of Biggest Shams in Comp Claims Is Unwarranted Diagnostic Testing

One of Biggest Shams in Comp Claims Is Unwarranted Diagnostic Testing

Techniques to Control Run-Away Cost of Narcotics in Workers Comp

Techniques to Control Run-Away Cost of Narcotics in Workers Comp

Are Diagnostic Testing And Physical Therapy Overused In Workers Comp?

Are Diagnostic Testing And Physical Therapy Overused In Workers Comp?

How You Can Prevent Pain Medication From Causing More Pain

How You Can Prevent Pain Medication From Causing More Pain

Top 6 Causes of Workers Comp Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Top 6 Causes of Workers Comp Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Train to Succeed

BECOME CERTIFIED IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Proven Course Catalog & WC Toolbox Give You The Power To Achieve Lower Costs and Better Injured Worker Outcomes

VISIT WORKERS' COMP TRAINING CENTER

Free Download

The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers' Comp Injury Causation - FREE Download Click Here Now!

Free Download

4-Step Sequence For Effective Employee Screening, Hiring, & Placement - FREE Download Click Here Now!

Train to Succeed

BECOME CERTIFIED IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Proven Course Catalog & WC Toolbox Give You The Power To Achieve Lower Costs and Better Injured Worker Outcomes

VISIT WORKERS' COMP TRAINING CENTER

Previous Post: « Deputy Sheriff Alleged to Have Fallen At Work, Was Injured Riding Her Horse
Next Post: DNA on Airbag Catches Alcohol Impaired Canadian Employee Who Crashed Boss’s Truck »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

FREE DOWNLOAD

The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers' Comp Injury Causation - FREE Download Click Here Now!

FREE DOWNLOAD

4-Step Sequence For Effective Employee Screening, Hiring, & Placement - FREE Download Click Here Now!

Our Sponsors

ARCADIA - Enhancing Settlement Outcomes

The Structured Settlements Company
 

Catastrophic and Risk Solutions, Case Management Solutions, and Specialty Networks
 

Post-Settlement Administration
 

Medcor

Injury Triage, Onsite Clinics

Blog Categories

Search Our Archive

Subscribe to Our FREE Newsletter

Return-to-Work Essentials

Footer

Search Our Archive

Search our continually growing archive of over 2500 articles about Workers' Comp issues.

Quiclinks

  • Calculators
  • Terms & Abbreviations
  • Glossary of WC Premium Terms
  • WC Resources
  • Best Practices
  • Industries
  • Return-to-Work Essentials

RSS Recent Blog Posts

  • Medicare Secondary Payer Update: What to Know Heading Into 2024
  • Gratitude Will Lower Your Workers’ Comp Costs
  • 8 Categories To Define A Winning Workers’ Comp Litigation Strategy
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEE NEWSLETTER
Let Us Help You Stomp Down the High Cost of Workers' Comp!
Top of Page ↑
  • Home
  • Training Center
  • Search
  • Membership
  • Products
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Login
Copyright © 2023 Amaxx, LLC. All Rights Reserved. · Privacy Policy / Legal Notice