Since 1998, Georgia’s business owners have been entitled to a 7.5 percent reduction on their annual workers’ compensation insurance premiums by participating in certified drug-free workplace programs.  Similarly, Alabama’ businesses have been allotted a 5 percent discount for up to four years since 2000.

Locally, the Greater Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce has tried to make joining the program simple, providing explanatory meetings and documents, including templates for the required written policies and directions for training managers and employees.

But few things about owning your own business are simple.  Ed Gaffney has discovered this to be true in just six months as owner of Automated Door Ways, Inc.  Though the program seemed beneficial to him in several ways, Gaffney has yet to fit it onto his list of priorities.

“It’s not just signing a paper.  It’s rather involved,” Gaffney said of the certification and implementation process for drug-free work places.  “You almost need to have an administrator that’s involved.  Right now, we don’t have an administrator.”

And for now, Gaffney does not have drug-free certification, either.  He doesn’t doubt the program’s value.  He just doesn’t have the time as a new business owner to commit to the program.

“Before my insurance premium runs up, which is next February, it will be done,” Gaffney said of starting the program.  Experts say Gaffney will be well served to do so.  Employers of drug abusers often get diminished efficiency and disturbances in the workplace, said Mark A. de Bernardo, founder and executive director of the Institute for a Drug-Free Workplace.

De Bernardo said workplaces that don’t actively strive to avoid employing drug users are just repositories of drug addicts rejected by other businesses.

Still, de Bernardio said he understands the challenge of being a drug-free small business, which include more than the potential costs of employing a human resources worker.  He said small businesses have other options in combating the problem.

“In some respects, it’s less necessary because there is more direct supervision,” de Bernardo said.  “If we have 10 employees, we’re seeing what’s going on in the workplace.  It’s going to manifest itself in missed workdays and lack of productivity.”

But de Bernardo said all employers should do what they can to prevent drugs from affecting their workplace.  Especially in businesses where tools or heavy equipment are used, employing drug users increases the potential for accidents that can injure workers and cripple a business. 

In that sense, enforcing a drug-free policy can be thought of as another type of insurance, said Latrina Patrick, chair of the Drugs Don’t Work committee for Columbus’ chamber.

Cost is no excuse Patrick said the Chamber’s program helps business owners get around the excuses for not participating by providing training workshops that are required for certification.  The program also connects business owners with clinics that will provide drug testing at a discounted price.

“My first instinct is it costs you more not to do it,” Patrick said.  “Strategically, as a businessperson you have to look in the long term… it will cost you less than if you have problems (with drug use) in the long term.”

At Automated Door Ways, Ed Gaffney does fear the long-term repercussions of employing a drug user.  Considering his costs for insurance, benefits, tools, training and insurance the van each door installer uses, every employee Gaffney hires requires a huge investment.  Then, Gaffney has to be concerned that a door being improperly installed could bring a lawsuit.

So while he trusts his employees and doesn’t want to insult them, Gaffney said sitting in the owner’s chair has given him a new perspective on the importance of drug testing.  It’s one more aspect of quality service he can control.

“I used to be a little more liberal in my views of live and let live after 5 p.m.,” Gaffney said of his stance of employees’ personal lives.  “When someone shows up to a business, they are the face of my company.  Nine out of 10 customers won’t really know me.”

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

August 23, 2005