Working Partners News Room

Please explore the Working Partners News Room for the latest information about DOL's
Working Partners resources and activities. It contains news releases, brochures, fact
sheets, "drop-in" articles, print ads and radio public service announcements (PSAs),
and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about drug-free workplace issues. In addition,
you'll find background information about DOL's Working Partners program and its content expert available for interviews on drug-free workplace related issues.

• About the Working Partners Program/Content Expert
• Published Working Partners Articles
• DOL Drug-Free Workplace News Releases
• Drug-Free Workplace Posters and Brochures
• Drug-Free Workplace Fact Sheets
• Drug-Free Workplace "drop-in" articles
• Drug-Free Workplace Print Ads and Radio PSA Scripts
• Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

About the Working Partners Program

Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace is a U.S. Department of Labor initiative that raises awareness about the impact drugs and alcohol have on the workplace and provides information on how to establish drug-free workplace programs that protect worker safety and health.

America’s businesses pay a high price for alcohol and drug abuse. Some costs—increased absences, accidents and errors—are obvious. Others, such as low employee morale and high illness rates, are less so, but the effects are equally harmful. The good news is that employers have enormous power to protect their businesses from alcohol and drug abuse by educating employees about its dangers and encouraging individuals with alcohol and drug problems to seek help.

Because drug and alcohol abuse is a major impediment to securing and maintaining employment, Working Partners also offers information to help workforce development professionals assist individuals whose drug or and/or alcohol abuse has created employment challenges. Only by addressing drug and alcohol abuse among the entire workforce—those currently employed and those preparing to enter employment—can a drug-free American workforce be achieved.

Content Expert: Elena M. Carr

Elena M. Carr is a Program Analyst in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy. In this capacity, she provides guidance to DOL leadership on drug policy issues and their impact on the workplace and coordinates the Department’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-free Workplace program, an outreach and information dissemination initiative that encourages and assists work organizations to implement drug- free workplace programs.

Throughout her career, Ms. Carr has provided training and technical assistance to both labor unions and businesses regarding workplace drug and alcohol problems. From 1994 to 1997 she served as Director of the Substance Abuse Institute at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, and she is the former Director of Workplace Programs for the Corporation Against Drug Abuse (CADA). Prior to that she was the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Coordinator for the Association of Flight Attendants.

Ms. Carr earned a Masters degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University.

To arrange an interview with Ms. Carr, please call (202) 693-5917 or (202) 693-5918.

Published Working Partners Articles

• When Safety is Your Business: United Fire Equipment Company's Drug-Free Workplace Program (appeared on the Web site of the National Federation of Independent Business on February 6, 2007)
• Drug-Free Work Week Offers Opportunity to Promote Safe, Healthy Workplaces (appeared on the Web site of the National Federation of Independent Business on October 13, 2006)
• Drugs in the Workplace: A Dangerous Combination, a Collaborative Solution (appeared in the Spring 2005 issue of Construction Safety News, the magazine of the Construction Safety Councils)
  [PDF Available 54KB]
• A Safe, Sober Holiday Message for Employees (appeared on the Web site of the National Federation of Independent Business on December 9, 2005)
• Drug-Free Workplaces Add Value to PEO, Clients, and Communities (appeared in the February 2004 issue of PEO Insider, the magazine of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations.
  [PDF Available 50KB]
• Current Issues in Employee Substance Abuse Testing (appeared in the May/June 2004 issue of The Synergist, the magazine of the American Industrial Hygiene Association).
  [PDF Available 54KB]
• A Safe Workplace is a Drug-Free Workplace (appeared on the Web site of the National Federation of Independent Business on September 23, 2004)
• Send Your Employees a Safe and Sober Message This Holiday Season (appeared on the Web site of the National Federation of Independent Business on December 3, 2004)
• DOL Assists Small Businesses in Addressing DFW Needs (appeared in the July 21, 2005 issue of Workplace Substance Abuse Advisor newsletter published by LRP Publications)
  [PDF Available 19KB]
• Expanding Organizational Influence:  The Role of EAPs in Workplace Safety and Health (appeared in the Spring 2005 issue of EAP Digest magazine published by Performance Resource Press)
  [PDF Available 19KB]

DOL Drug-Free Workplace News Releases

• U.S. Department of Labor announces Drug-Free Work Week 2008 will take place Oct. 20 through 26 [09/04/2008]
• Mining community urged to participate in Drug-Free Work Week [10/12/2007]
• U.S. Secretary of Labor launches Drug-Free Work Week [10/11/2007]
• U.S. Department of Labor announces Drug-Free Work Week 2007 will take place October 14 through 20 [8/16/2007]
• U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Launches Drug-Free Work Week [10/16/2006]
• U.S. Secretary of Labor Announces Drug-Free Work Week [09/22/2006]
• U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Hosts Drug-Free Workplace Alliance Signing Event at New U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters [7/10/2006]
• Department of Labor Encourages Employers to Adopt A Safe and Sober Approach to Workplace Parties this Holiday Season [11/30/2005]
• MSHA Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Focuses on Addressing Risks to Miners of Drug and Alcohol Use [10/04/2005]
• MSHA, States to Convene Drug Abuse Summit in Hazard, KY [12/2/2004]
• Department of Labor Encourages Employers to Send a Safe and Sober Message about Workplace Parties this Holiday Season [12/1/2004]
• MSHA, Kentucky Kickoff Anti-Drug and Alcohol Abuse Initiative “Keeping America’s Mines Drug- and Alcohol-Free” is New Program’s Theme [10/28/2004]
• U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Signs Drug-Free Workplace Alliance Agreement With Four International Labor Unions [10/12/2004]
• Department of Labor Encourages Employers to Send a Safe and Sober Message about Office Parties and Drinking this Holiday Season [12/10/2003]
• Department of Labor Enhances Web Site to Help America’s Businesses and Workers Benefit from Being Drug Free [10/28/2003]
• On-Line Advisor Helps Employers Create Drug-Free Workplace Programs [06/15/2001]

Working Partners Posters and Brochures

"Hands" Poster States “A safe, healthy and drug-free workplace is everyone’s business. Thanks for making it yours” and features a single image representing a variety of occupations.  Poster may be downloaded and printed by clicking on the thumbnail or ordered by e-mailing Working Partners.
“12 Faces” Poster States “Working Drug-Free Works” and features 12 photos of individuals in a variety of working environments. Poster may be downloaded and printed by clicking on the thumbnail below or ordered by e-mailing Working Partners.
“4 Faces” Poster States “Working Drug-Free Works” and features four photos of individuals in the mining and construction industries. Poster may be downloaded and printed by clicking on the thumbnail below or ordered by e-mailing Working Partners.

• Working Partners for an Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace brochure
  Describes tools and resources available from the U.S. Department of Labor to help employers develop drug-free workplace programs.
  [PDF Available 1.6MB]
• Steps to a Drug-Free Workplace brochure
  Outlines the five components of a comprehensive drug-free workplace and what employers need to take into consideration when implementing them.
  [PDF Available 1.9MB]

Working Partners Fact Sheets

• Drug-Free Workplace Programs Help Ensure Safe and Healthy Workplaces
• Symptoms and Intervention Techniques
• General Workplace Impact
• Construction Industry
• General Services Industry
• Health Care Industry
• Hospitality Industry
• High-Tech Industry
• Manufacturing Industry
• Retail Industry
• Transportation Industry
• Wholesale Industry

Working Partners “drop-in” articles

• A Safe, Sober Holiday Message (association version – 640 words; union version – 657 words)
• Online Advisor Helps Employers Create Drug-Free Workplace Programs (301 words)
• Help from DOL: Web Site Helps Employers Establish Drug-Free Workplace Programs
  (116 words)
• DOL Web Site Helps Businesses Create Drug-Free Workplace Programs (336 words)
• Steps to a Drug-Free Workplace (914 words)
• Helping America’s Businesses Benefit from Being Drug Free (218 words)
• Send Your Employees a Safe and Sober Message at Office Parties this Holiday Season (154 words)

Print Ads and Radio PSA Scripts

• Employer Focus: ½ page (8 ½ x 11) black and white [PDF]
• Employer Focus: ¼ page (8 ½ x 11) black and white [PDF]
• Employee Focus: ½ page (8 ½ x 11) black and white [PDF]
• Employee Focus: ¼ page (8 ½ x 11) black and white [PDF]

• 30-Second Radio PSA Script

Three quarters of adult drug abusers are in the workplace. The nation’s businesses and workers pay for this abuse in terms of accidents, errors and illness. The Department of Labor’s Working Partners program helps employers and employees work together to create drug-free workplaces that protect safety and health and improve productivity and morale. Visit www.dol.gov/workingpartners for free tools to help ensure a safe and drug-free working environment. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Labor and this radio station.

• 15-Second Radio PSA Script

Three quarters of adult drug abusers work, and the nation’s businesses and workers pay a high price for their abuse. Learn how employers and employees can work together to ensure a safe and drug-free working environment by visiting the Department of Labor’s Working Partners Web site at www.dol.gov/workingpartners. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Labor and this radio station.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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