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Show The Payson Chronicle, July 14, 1993, Page 8 Year Reunion Class Of 1953of 40th reunion committee needs Alcohol And Drug Awareness Must Begin At The Top 1953 The Payson High School Class help in locating the Ivan Warren Mattison, Robinson, Irvin following: Gary Ecker, Barbara Johnson Keele, and Dean Nelson. Stewart, Stevensen, James Larry Smith, Angus Robinson, Barbara Davis, Please call any one of the following: Claudine Benson, or Lorraine Underwood, Thank You. by Stephen Allred, Certified Alcohol Counselor Mountain View Hospital Psychiatric Pavilion 798-886- 7; 423-227- 0. Most employers believe drug testing is a complete solution to the problems created in the workplace by substance abuse. It is not! Testing is a concrete method to identify some troubled employees, but it is not the solution. Many employees find ways to beat or get around testing., There are resources available to purchase clean urine samples. Some get samples from their friends and others refuse a test until their system has had a chance to clear. There are countless ways to get around drug testing. 1 Supervisor training is imperative in identifying substance abuse on the job. Most supervisors are highly qualified in the jobs they do; however, they are not qualified and should not be required to assess alcohol or drug problems. Monitoring of work performance is what supervisors do well. MonitorOur future will soot be in the hands of our children, ing is the key to an effective program. Training of supervisors must focus on job performance only. If we get moral or personal beliefs involved, we may be setting our business up for and U S WEST is proud to recognize Vem Bangerter serious legal problems. People with alcohol and drug problems develop certain as a teacher preparing children for the challenge. patterns of performance that can be easily identified. Patterns of Monday and Friday absences, tardiness, and absence from Vem is the recipient of the 1993 U S WEST Outthe job station are a few. Often, actual performance will steadily decline or have radical ups and downs. Repeated instanding Teacher Award for Utah. As a physics cidents with is another sign of problems. Supervisors can be easily trained in identifying "warning signs" of Vern Bangerter troubled employees in a short period of time. Once the superteacher at Timpview High School in Provo, Vern is Timpview High School O.' visor is made aware of the subtle signs of substance abuse, they must learn to document the behaviors. Effective opening up the world of science to students, teachers'-andocumentation should be an ingredient in a supervisors job description. the community through the creation of ahands-on- , The next question to be addressed is. What action needs to take place now that the troubled employee has been idend tified? Intervention is the next step. Most businesses have a public science center, policy which covers the confrontation of an employee. Many .WO' i O businesses use the method. The first step is a verbal O '' The U S WEST Foundation created f Outstanding warning. The supervisor speaks with the employee, explain:Tvt-O his docuwhich been have ing specific performance problems mented. The second action step is a written warning issued T - Teacher program me enhance the teaching profess!. with concrete consequences if change does not occur. The third or last action step is considering termination. A form of This year 14 teachers from the U S WEST fegbnj , these three steps is used in the process of intervention. Remember, the supervisor must not attempt to diagnose the selected to receive $15,000 over a two-yea- r period problem, but must only focus on the job performance. An to should referred an Employee Assistance be employee T this to pursue an educational project or professional a at where Program qualified counselor can assess point the the degree of problem and make appropriate recommendations. development It's just one of the many investments An enabling supervisor can be the most difficult problem to deal with when implementing a program. Many superUS WEST is making as part of our Foundation's visors take pride in their department and employees. They may deny the problem with a troubled employee to protect ' Educational Initiative. the image of their department. Often they will cover up mistakes or try to resolve problems with as little attention as possible. At U S WEST, we believe teachers who reach beyond One of the prevailing symptoms of addiction is denial. People with addiction problems often externalize or blame O' O' TO' problems on their family, friends, cars, etc. When a superclassroom walls today will make a world of difference visor accepts their excuses, or feeds into the rationalization, they are enabling the employee. Complete accountability and ' for future generations. ; responsibility are necessary in the process of recovery from addiction. The protection of an employee may actually be killing him, since the disease of addiction can be fatal. A businesses approach to alcohol and chug problems in the workplace must contain several components. An effective policy is the first ingredient. Testing is a valid consideration as a part of the companys policy. Supervisor training in identification is a must in order to implement an effective Making the most of your time. Thanks to Teachers Like Vem Bangerter, The Future Is In Good Hands. ers 'v' subject-integrate- s , 1-- i - - ; . . uuaiEST program. 1993 US WEST, !nc. 465-403- 6; |