Anchorage Daily News

Q. Several months ago I smelled marijuana when walking through our warehouse parking lot at lunch time. Because our warehouse sits between a high school and a burger joint, I figured the teens were smoking when cutting across our parking lot to grab lunch, and didn't give the issue much thought, not even when I noticed the scent several weeks in a row.

Last week I noticed that the smell seemed strongest next to one of my employees' cars and began to wonder if one or more of my employees were smoking at lunch and on their breaks. How do I find out if I've got a problem without turning into a detective? I also don't know what I want to do about it if I do find out one of my guys is smoking, as I've got a good crew of workers and don't want to lose any of them. I remember smoking grass myself 30 years ago and it wasn't such a big deal. What do I do?

A. You have a problem that you don't need a detective to locate.

If you smell marijuana that often, someone smokes in your parking lot. While the odor might come from teens, it more likely comes from your employees. This places your employees and your company at risk.

What might happen if your marijuana-smoking employee gets injured or injures someone else while moving something in the warehouse? What would you tell the police, the OSHA inspector, the victim's family or their attorney -- that you didn't consider it a big deal because you used to smoke grass?

According to attorney turned human resources troubleshooter Angie Richards, "Every Alaskan employer needs a clear-cut drug policy. Alaska holds the unenviable reputation as the state with the highest rate of marijuana use in the country." Richards cites the National Survey on Drug Use, which reports that 16 percent of Alaskans 12 years or older use marijuana. U.S. Department of Labor statistics echo Richards' concerns: 73 percent of drug users are employed, with an average cost to U.S. employers estimated at $100 billion in lost productivity, theft, accidents and increased health-care costs. According to the Institute for a Drug-free Workplace, 52 percent of the workplace drug users who test positive use drugs daily. Further, these employees are 60 percent more likely to be responsible for accidents, use a third more sick leave and have many more unexcused absences.

With these statistics and the sweet smell of grass as evidence, you need to have an honest discussion with your employees. Put them on notice that you can't take the chance one of them might injure himself or another when stoned. Let them know you intend disciplinary action should you find evidence of drugs. If you don't yet have employee policies that clearly address alcohol and drug use on the work site, which includes the parking lot, make sure you get some. You may also want to explore the regulations related to random and reasonable-suspicion drug tests, which Richards says you can find outlined in detail in the Alaska Statutes. Richards adds that companies with anti-drug policies may be eligible for discounts on their company insurance policies.

The bottom line: Although you don't want to lose any of your crew, you can't afford to employ someone who thinks it OK to smoke during the workday -- not when you smell the evidence daily.

Lynne Curry is a local management trainer, consultant and syndicated columnist. Her advice and opinion column appears Mondays. Questions for her column may be faxed to her at 258-2157 or mailed to her c/o Anchorage Daily News, P.O. Box 149001, Anchorage 99514-9001. Her e-mail address is lynne@thegrowthcompany.net.

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