Employers today are facing unforeseen challenges as they work to maintain a healthy and productive workforce. Recognizing that a best-practice drug-free workplace supports employers’ desires to hire, manage and retain quality employees, Working Partners®, an expert in drug responsible program development and training, is encouraging business leaders to take advantage of an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) opportunity that will pay employers back for operating a drug-free workplace program.
The BWC’s Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program (SURWSP) has $15 million to
reimburse employers for qualifying expenses related to implementing, operating and maintaining a drug-free workplace program, including:
• Development and legal review of drug-free workplace policies and procedures
• Annual policy review
• Employee and supervisor training (up to 72 hours each per year)
• Drug testing of prospective and current employees (provided the employer has a second-chance policy as part of their drug-free workplace program)
All Ohio employers covered by the state’s workers’ compensation fund, in good standing with the BWC and current on their premium payments can complete a simple, online form to enroll in the program. Once enrolled, employers simply submit a form with proof of payment for qualifying expenses, which can date back to July 1, 2019, regardless of whether they were enrolled in the program at the time of purchase or not. Working Partners® has developed this infographic to further explain program requirements and reimbursements.
“We see this program as a big win for any Ohio organization operating a drug-responsible program.
SURWSP essentially covers all your program expenses, allowing you to operate your program for free,” said Dee Mason, CEO of Working Partners®. “Not only is it a great way to save money, it also supports your efforts to reduce your risk and liability from substance misuse and supports your employees’ wellbeing and anyone who may be in recovery.”
In addition, SURWSP complements the Bureau’s Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP) – which has annual training requirement deadlines coming up in March – as the majority of expenses incurred through the DFSP are eligible for reimbursement through the SURWSP. Visit the BWC’s website to learn more about this program and enroll.
With multiple training methods – company-specific training, training of trainers, webinars, OnDemand 24/7 – and expertise in policy development, Working Partners® has decades of experience helping organizations not only meet the Drug-Free Safety Program employee education and supervisor training requirements but implement and maintain best-practice drug-free workplace programs.