Book Jill → 303.999.9224 | jill@jillchristensenintl.com

Jill Christensen International – Employee Engagement Expert Jill Christensen International – Employee Engagement Expert
  • BIO
  • SPEAKING
  • Culture Check-up
  • Clients
  • BOOKS
  • BLOG
  • Reviews
  • CONNECT
  • BIO
  • SPEAKING
  • Culture Check-up
  • Clients
  • BOOKS
  • BLOG
  • Reviews
  • CONNECT
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Would You Hire a “Low-Risk” Drug Addict?

Blog

13 Jul

Would You Hire a “Low-Risk” Drug Addict?

  • By Jill Christensen
Hire a Drug Addict

It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic is creating a crisis for America’s healthcare system and families, as both are ill-equipped to manage this burgeoning issue.  Workplaces are also suffering, as many employees and job candidates cannot pass standard drug tests. This week’s spotlight is on one employer that is using creative tactics to tackle the crisis head on. 

In John Stroup’s factory in Indiana, approximately 10 percent of job applicants fail the drug test, disqualifying them for employment. Like many other U.S. manufacturers, this caused Belden Inc. to be short-staffed, missing customer orders. In an already tight job market, where there is a shortage of skilled labor and record low unemployment, companies are facing an additional hurdle as the opioid epidemic sweeps the nation.

Stroup’s solution?  If a desirable job applicant or a current employee fails a drug test, pay for an evaluation at a substance abuse treatment center. People deemed to have a low risk of becoming an addict are placed in a “non-dangerous” job before they are allowed to operate heavy equipment again, and they must pass random drug tests during their employment.  People at high risk spend two months in an outpatient monitoring and treatment program, and earn a job if they make sufficient progress.

The cost to incent people to stop using drugs and to stay with Belden or be offered a job? Five thousand dollars per employee or potential worker.

This approach is probably only viable, however, in a labor market like the one the United States is experiencing today.  If the tables turn and it becomes an employer’s market (more workers than jobs, organizations will have enough workers to choose from and this will cease to be a viable solution to an opioid epidemic that is not only hampering hiring, but also costing employers billions of dollars in healthcare spending. 

WHAT CAN I DO?  If your organization is experiencing similar issues, consider Belden’s approach and assess whether it may be a successful solution for you.  Although largely untested, if you continue doing what you’ve always done, you will end up with the same results and problems. By all accounts, the drug epidemic is not going away any time soon, so you must be creative and proactive if you hope to defeat it.  

Jill Christensen is an employee engagement expert, best-selling author, and international keynote speaker. She is a Top 100 Global Employee Engagement Influencer, authored the best-selling book, If Not You, Who?, and works with the best and brightest global leaders to improve productivity and retention, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth. Jill can be reached at +1.303.999.9224 or jillspeaker@outlook.com.

  • Share:
Jill Christensen

You may also like

Give Employees More Workplace Flexibility

An Idea to Give Employees More Workplace Flexibility

  • May 23, 2022
  • by Jill Christensen
  • in Blog
As reported by Steven Weiss – senior staff writer at Inc.com – the leadership team at Front, a customer...
Top Tips to Squash Meeting Madness
Top Tips to Squash Meeting Madness
May 16, 2022
Answers to Critical Questions
Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trend Index Provides Answers to Critical Questions
May 9, 2022
What Happened to All the US Workers?
What Happened to All the US Workers?
May 2, 2022

SUBSCRIBE NOW

In the U.S., text JILL to 44144 to become a free VIP Member of #CultureNation. Outside the U.S., JOIN NOW to receive exclusive content.

Recent Posts

  • An Idea to Give Employees More Workplace Flexibility
  • Top Tips to Squash Meeting Madness
  • Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trend Index Provides Answers to Critical Questions
  • What Happened to All the US Workers?
  • Draconian Work Policies Prompt Junior Bankers to Quit

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015

CONTACT JILL

1-303-999-9224

jill@jillchristensenintl.com

Denver, Colorado, USA

Jill Christensen Logo

Connect With Jill

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

JOIN #CULTURENATION

In the U.S., text JILL to 44144 to become a free VIP Member of #CultureNation. Outside the US, Join Now to receive exclusive content.

Copyright © 2022

purchesh_from_jill

purchesh_from_jill

Quantity