Client Kudos
Gaddis and Sons Marks their 10-Year DFWP Anniversary!
Article date: 5/2008
Ten years ago, Gaddis and Sons partnered with Working Partners® to develop and implement a comprehensive Drug-Free Workplace (DFFWP) Program. In this edition of Client Kudos, we would like to congratulate Owner Randal Gaddis and his team for their continued efforts at maintaining a safe, productive, and healthy drug-free environment. Like many companies, Gaddis and Sons became drug-free as a way to meet the expectations of contractors and clients with whom he was doing business. Soon after implementation, Mr. Gaddis realized that being drug-free was a sound business practice, not just a compliance matter.
Initially, Gaddis and Sons dismissed the program as what Randall refers to as “window dressing.” His employees and customers both knew he had a drug-free program, but in all actuality it was only surface deep. Randal simply did not feel that substance abuse was a real concern for his company. That is...until he had an epiphany of sorts. While completing his annual employee education and supervisor training, Randal started comparing some of the issues his workforce had experienced the past years to some of the common problem areas of substance abuse. Sure enough, some of his losses in terms of tardiness, missed time, property damage, and missing equipment may have been attributed to employee use of alcohol and/or other drugs.
From that point on, Gaddis and Sons has been following their policy to the letter. He is particularly focused on using the policy as a way to screen for potentially problematic employees before they even get in the door. The result? Gaddis and Sons now has an even stronger and talented workforce. Randal proudly points out that his employees are “professionals in their fields just like doctors or dentists.” He further explains, “None of them want to lose money or lose a colleague because of someone’s carelessness on the job.”
Being a 10-year veteran to the world of drug-free workplace, Randal is well-qualified to offer suggestions and advice to new companies heading down the same path. “Take your drug-free program seriously from the beginning,” Randal shares. “Looking back, I regret loosing money on lost time and equipment damage those first few years. Since buckling down, those issues are largely a thing of the past” He continues, “That goes for cutting corners, too. All business owners are worried about overhead, but don’t let that concern cloud your vision and lead to anything but a solid program.”
Randal is a member of the Working Partners® Consortium and is not shy about sharing how much he has depended on particularly the trouble-shooting services included in that membership. “I am not an expert but I have experts on my side. The consortium is the best resource I can have for upholding the DFWP policy. One accident or one mishandled situation can cost you. It’s not worth going it alone.”
Finally, Randal offers a wise message of patience. He reminds us that anything good in life takes time but will always be worth it in the end. This applies to DFWP as well. “If you pay your dues in the beginning you will be sure to reap your rewards in the end.”
Congratulations Gaddis and Sons as you celebrate ten years of being drug-free!!
