Every company should take precautions to protect their employees and customers from the effects of substance abuse. Wal-Mart, being the largest employer in the United States (Charles Schoncheck, personal communication, September 25, 2009), has a vital interest in maintaining safe, healthful and efficient working conditions for all associates. Alcohol and illegal drug use pose a serious threat to workplace safety and health. Associates who abuse alcohol or use drugs are a danger to themselves, co-workers and customers. This paper will describe the drug free workplace policy which Wal-Mart has in place. This paper will also cover how the company trains supervisors and managers to detect and manage substance abuse issues in the workplace.
The drug policy at Wal-Mart states that "the use, possession, sale, transfer, or purchase of illegal drugs at any time is strictly prohibited⦠Any violation of this policy will be grounds for immediate termination and may result in a report to the appropriate law enforcement authorities" (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 2008).
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A protest in Utah against Wal-Mart
English: Supermercado de Wal-Mart in Spring Branch...Managers who suspect an associate is under the influence must first contact the facility manager who must also observe the associate in question to determine whether their actions are a result of drug or alcohol use. Upon observation, when the facility manager agrees that the actions constitute a drug test, she/he must contact the Home Office Drug Screening department to request a Reasonable Suspicion drug test. "No test will be performed until the factual basis for the test has been communicated for approval to the Home Office Drug Screening Department" (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 2008). Refusal by any associate to report for testing will result in immediate termination. The company does not specifically train managers and supervisors on detection of substance abuse issues. This could become a problem if managers are not aware of what...