CHICAGO, IL October 19, 2009 - More than 8% of full-time employees in the U.S. were drug users and nearly 9% of full-time employees reported heavy alcohol use in 2007, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). To help business mitigate the impact of this challenge on operations and the bottom line, Perspectives Ltd, a high-touch provider of workplace resources, is partnering with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to offer training workshops on employee substance abuse.
“Businesses that promote drug-free workplaces, like those that use Perspectives’ EAP services, have a better chance of protecting their business and retaining employee talent, because they understand that you’re invested in an employee the moment you hire them,” said Jerry Roper, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
The collaborative effort launches today in support of national Drug-Free Work Week (October 19-25, 2009). It is being driven by the Chamber’s Workplace Well Being & Addiction Prevention Practices Committee and includes two workshops designed and delivered by Perspectives which has presented thousands of substance abuse seminars to businesses nationwide.
“Drug-free workplaces are an important initiative for us,” said Terry Cahill, senior vice president at Perspectives Ltd, which specializes in employee assistance programs (EAPs). “Employee substance abuse eats away at businesses profits through absenteeism, presenteeism, lawsuits, customer service complaints, worker’s comp claims, and more. Working with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce allows us to help more people understand how to identify and manage employee substance abuse issues, so that your business is protected and you end up with better employees.”
The workshops may be of most critical interest to small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs). According to another SAMHSA report, nine (9) out of 10 full-time workers with alcohol or illicit drug problems work for small-to-medium businesses (SMBs).
Drug-free workplace workshops by Perspectives are typically 1-2 hours in length and include a presentation, group scenario brainstorming and Q&A tailored to participants needs based on an initial discussion. Workshops available through the partnership, include:
Substance Abuse Awareness: Eyes Wide Open
Facilitates understanding of substances, substance abuse and chemical dependency so that employees can face themselves, their families and their workplace with open eyes regarding substance abuse.
Identifying the Substance Abusing Employee
Coaches HR and supervisory personnel in the identification of substance abusing employees through attention to job performance and reasonable suspicion behaviors in order to promote productivity and reduce HR/supervisory strain.
Workshops are NO COST to Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce members and are available to single-company and mixed-company audiences. Workshops are available to non-members for a fee.
For more information about these workshops, please visit www.perspectivesltd.com/services_train.htm or contact Perspectives’ Terry Cahill at thc(at)perspectivesltd.com, 312.558.1563.
ABOUT THE CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce was the first regional Chamber of Commerce in the United States and has served independent business throughout the Chicago metropolitan area since 1904. The Chamber’s 2,600 plus members employ more than 1.2 million individuals throughout Chicagoland. The mission of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is to make Chicagoland the most business-friendly region in America and enhance member success through aggressive programs of advocacy, member benefits and services, and actionable information. More information is available at www.chicagolandchamber.org.
ABOUT PERSPECTIVES LTD
Perspectives Ltd is a Chicago-based workplace resources firm specializing in the nationwide delivery of employee assistance programs (EAPs), managed behavioral healthcare, work/life services, organizational development and wellness. We believe in taking an individualized approach with each customer organization and creating tailored solutions that have practical applications in their workplace. www.perspectivesltd.com.
Media Contact:
Rachelle Lockhart
Director of Communications
Perspectives Ltd
312.558.7228
rlockhart(at)perspectivesltd.com
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listed above.