Description
Drug-Free Workplace Policy Poster
Clearly communicate your organization's commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive workplace with the Drug-Free Workplace Policy Poster. This 11 x 17-inch workplace policy poster provides employees with a visible reminder of the organization's drug-free workplace expectations and substance-use policies.
A clearly communicated drug-free workplace policy can help employees understand prohibited conduct, workplace expectations, reporting responsibilities, available assistance, and the potential consequences of violating an employer's established policy.
What Is a Drug-Free Workplace?
A drug-free workplace is a workplace in which an employer establishes and communicates policies concerning the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances in the workplace.
The specific requirements and restrictions that apply depend on the employer, industry, applicable federal or state law, contractual requirements, and the organization's own workplace policies.
What Should a Drug-Free Workplace Policy Address?
A workplace substance-use policy should clearly explain the employer's expectations and the employees covered by the policy. Depending on the organization, a policy may address:
- Prohibited possession or use of controlled substances in the workplace
- Unlawful manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of controlled substances
- Employees working while impaired
- Workplace safety expectations
- Employee reporting responsibilities
- Consequences for violations of workplace policy
- Drug testing when permitted or required by applicable law
- Employee assistance, counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation resources
- Supervisor and employee responsibilities
Drug-Free Workplace Act Requirements
The federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 establishes drug-free workplace requirements for certain organizations receiving federal contracts or grants.
Covered organizations generally must establish and maintain a drug-free workplace program that includes a written policy statement and a drug-free awareness program.
Which Federal Contractors and Grantees Are Covered?
Under federal Drug-Free Workplace Act requirements, covered organizations include certain federal contractors and federal grant recipients.
Federal requirements generally apply to:
- Organizations receiving a federal contract of $100,000 or more
- Organizations receiving a federal grant, regardless of the grant amount
Additional federal drug and alcohol requirements may apply to employees and employers in transportation, safety-sensitive, security-sensitive, or other regulated industries.
Federal Drug-Free Workplace Policy Statement
Organizations covered by the Drug-Free Workplace Act must prepare and distribute a formal drug-free workplace policy statement. The statement must notify covered employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances is prohibited in the workplace and explain the actions that may be taken for violations.
Covered employers must provide the required statement to employees engaged in the performance of the applicable federal contract or grant as required by federal law.
Drug-Free Workplace Awareness Program
Covered federal contractors and grantees must also establish a drug-free awareness program. The program is intended to inform employees about:
- The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace
- The organization's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace
- Available drug counseling, rehabilitation, or employee assistance programs
- Potential penalties for workplace drug-policy violations
Employee Reporting Responsibilities for Covered Federal Work
Employees covered by applicable Drug-Free Workplace Act requirements must understand certain reporting obligations. An employee working on covered federal work generally must notify the employer within 5 calendar days after a conviction for a criminal drug violation occurring in the workplace.
The covered employer generally must notify the appropriate federal contracting or granting agency within 10 calendar days after receiving applicable notice of the conviction or otherwise receiving actual notice.
Are All Private Employers Required to Have a Drug-Free Workplace Policy?
No. There is no general federal requirement requiring most private employers to establish a drug-free workplace policy.
Federal requirements apply to certain federal contractors and grantees and to employers or employees covered by particular safety-sensitive or security-sensitive industry regulations. State laws, contractual obligations, workers' compensation programs, licensing requirements, or an employer's own policies may create additional considerations.
Drug-Free Workplace Policies and Drug Testing
A drug-free workplace policy does not automatically mean that every employer must conduct employee drug testing. Drug-testing requirements and restrictions vary depending on the employer, industry, employee position, applicable federal and state law, and the employer's established policy.
Employers considering workplace drug testing should review the legal requirements that apply to their workforce and locations and clearly communicate applicable testing procedures to employees.
Employee Assistance and Workplace Resources
A comprehensive drug-free workplace program may also provide employees with information about available assistance, including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, health-plan resources, or other support services.
Providing employees with information about available resources can complement an employer's workplace substance-use prevention and safety efforts.
Where Can a Drug-Free Workplace Poster Be Displayed?
The Drug-Free Workplace Policy Poster can help reinforce workplace expectations in locations such as:
- Employee break rooms
- Human Resources areas
- Employee entrances
- Workplace policy bulletin boards
- Safety and training areas
- Manufacturing facilities
- Warehouses and distribution centers
- Construction and maintenance operations
- Offices and administrative workplaces
- Other conspicuous employee locations
Is a Drug-Free Workplace Poster Federally Required?
The Drug-Free Workplace Act requires certain covered federal contractors and grantees to establish and communicate a drug-free workplace policy and awareness program. However, this particular Drug-Free Workplace Policy Poster should not be represented as a universally required federal workplace poster.
This poster can help communicate and reinforce an employer's established drug-free workplace policy, but it does not replace a required written policy statement, employee distribution requirements, drug-free awareness program, employee training, reporting procedures, or other requirements applicable to a covered federal contractor, grantee, or regulated employer.
Drug-Free Workplace Poster Specifications
- 11"W x 17"H
- Landscape orientation
- Printed in full color
- Laminated with high-quality laminate
- Available in English and Spanish
Workplace Policy and Compliance Resources
Labor Law Compliance Center provides employers with labor law posters, workplace policy posters, workplace safety posters, specialty postings, and compliance resources for businesses throughout the United States. Browse our Workplace Policy Posters for additional employee policy and workplace awareness materials.
