Using Social Media to Reinforce Drug Policy & Procedures

The workplace is an ideal place for sending a drug free message because employees are a captive audience, so to speak. Today’s workforce is multi-generational, so employer messages reach all age groups. One of the most important messages an employer delivers is the drug and alcohol policy and the procedures for policy enforcement. In the past, employers had to print and distribute documents and then hold periodic workshops to train and develop employees. Now there is increasing use of social media in the workplace for worker training and development, and that is just as applicable to the drug and alcohol policy and procedures. However, social media takes policy integration and reinforcement to a higher level.

Broadcasting the Right Message

Social media networks that are internal and external to the business become integral to operations. They are used to promote a business brand, build a reputation, and communicate with stakeholders. However, they can also be used as a means of communication between employers and employees, and between co-workers. This makes social media a powerful tool for promoting a substance free workplace. A drug free workplace then contributes to brand quality by reducing worker error rates and increasing productivity. There are now many ways to use social media to deliver the right message on drugs and alcohol:

• Producing short YouTube videos in which senior level managers talk about the importance of keeping drugs and alcohol out of the workplace
• Posting online videos discussing the drug and alcohol policy and procedures and documenting when each employee views them to ensure all workers are participating in training
• Posting reminders on intranets that workers must accept responsibility for safe behaviours in the workplace
• Developing an Employee Resource Group that addresses drugs and alcohol and allows members to communicate via an internal social media network
• Posting policy and procedure updates on the company-wide social media networks that are used by workers as a source of information
• Using sites like Facebook to reinforce the company’s commitment to maintaining a substance free workplace, thus promoting positive public relations
• Starting a discussion forum to encourage workers to discuss methods for improving workplace safety and to ask questions concerning drug and alcohol related health and safety issues
• Developing an online workshop all employees can access to share information about healthy lifestyles in and out of the workplace
• Holding online celebration events where people can affirm their commitment to living a substance free life
• Tweeting links to updated health and safety information related to drugs and alcohol

Reinforcing the Right Message

These are just a few ways a business can use social media networks to strengthen its drug and alcohol program. Training workers once a year is not adequate anymore given the pervasiveness of substance abuse. The random drug and alcohol testing done throughout the year is a critical component of maintaining a substance free workplace. However, regular reinforcement of the policies, procedures and benefits that testing brings to all workers is an important step in the success of the overall program.²

Drug alcohol testing can end up being viewed as a management punishment tool rather than a means of protecting worker safety and health. Social media makes it easy to send out regular top-down messages that inform people of the current policy and procedures, update employees on the hazards of substance abuse, congratulate the workforce on supporting a drug-free environment, and so on. In other words, social media can help management send a positive rather than negative message about drug and alcohol programs. It serves as an employee engagement tool when structured appropriately.

Drug & alcohol testing programs do not have to be viewed as a disciplinary tool by employees, and effective use of social media can be an important strategy in creating the right workplace mindset. The reinforcement strategies can be combined with Mediscreen’s (mediscreen.net.au) efficient drug and alcohol screening services to promote a substance free workplace. Mediscreen are a NATA accredited company offering the highest levels of testing and service.

This article has been taken from : http://www.mediscreen.net.au/using-social-media-to-reinforce-drug-policy-procedures/