“Case Analysis/ Scenario
Overview of the case
Drug addiction is an undesired incidence in any given work environment in the United States. For a company to deal with incidences of drug abuse and related incidences in the work environment there is need to have a clear policy on drug abuse. In the case of Accessory Plus Incorporated the case of drug abuse has been suspected. However there is no policy framework for the company to deal with the case and provide an amicable solution to the problem. One employee is suspected to abuse drugs and the company does not know the action to take to eliminate the vice. Though there has not been any main interruption that has been caused to the operation of the company the company management feels that it is desirable to take an action before a disruption is caused. According to Jones Steffyand Bray (1991) this is a wise step for a proactive management. It is a clear pointer of the ability to embrace strategic management practices in the organization. The problem that faces the management is the lack of a strategy to solve the drug abuse.
Drug abuse at the workplace and Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to Behren (n. d) the issue of drug addiction in the workplace is extensively covered in America with Disabilities Act. Alcoholics and drug addicts are protected by this legislation. However there are exceptions to the manner in which the legislation is administered. People who are addicted to drugs and alcohol are not protected by the legislation. People who are fully covered by the legislation are those who are undergoing rehabilitation. In addition recovered addicts are fully covered by the Act. People who are still addicted exempt from the protection that is offered by the legislation especially when they present direct risks to themselves or to other people at the workplace. According to the ADA drug addicts who do not pose threats to the work environment and their employers are supposed to be accommodating and assisted bythe employer.
The ADA acts gives room to companies for the development of work policies on drugs so long as the policies obey the legislation. Companies are given room to detect cases of drug abuse by observing a number of characteristics of employees which are enlisted in the legislation (Batiste 2011). Therefore Accessory Plus can use best practices in convincing Pat to take a drug test. According to the ADA Pat has not caused any danger in the company and has a right to full accommodation from the organizational management.
Recommendations.Accessory Plus should develop drug policies which would guide in dealing with cases of drug abuse. Drug abuse is likely to increase due to the deployment of college students.
The company needs to assess and familiarize with all legislation concerning drug abuse at the workplace. One of the main legislation that should be grasped by the management of the company is ADA. This will ensure that the policies do not clash with prevailing legislation.
To familiarize with the impact of drug abuse at the workplace the company can do a survey. This survey will give a clue of how to lay down sound policies.
The company has to involve all its employees when developing the policy framework because their policy will affect them directly thence their views are critical.
The company shoulddevelop a draft policy which would be subjected to improvements before it fully takes the course.
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