New Second-Chance Guidelines Implemented For Indiana Employers

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 9:50 AM

By Kacie Jackson

Thirty-five percent of Indiana employers do not have a basic written drug and alcohol misuse policy

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A recent statewide survey released Monday shows that Indiana employers are underestimating the impact that substance abuse has on their employees.

The survey was conducted by Indiana Workforce Recovery, an initiative started by the Wellness Council of Indiana and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

The survey looked at substance abuse within Hoosier companies. About 500 employers across the state responded. Seventy-six percent said drug or alcohol abuse is a problem in their local communities, but only 13 percent said that abuse issues carry over to their own workplace.

Thirty-five percent of Indiana employers do not have a basic written drug and alcohol misuse policy, according to the survey. Only 45 percent have a plan for directing employees to assistance with drug or alcohol problems.

In 2018, Gov. Eric Holcomb passed Indiana’s substance abuse treatment law as part of his Next Level Agenda. The law is intended to create guidelines so employers can provide support to employees if they ask for help with substance abuse or fail a drug screening.

Guidelines are now available at recovery.IN.gov, providing a blueprint for employers to develop a drug use policy and develop a plan for directing employees to get help. The guidelines form an eight-part handbook that includes how to implement a second-chance system, drug testing and identifying an assistance provider.