One Source Warehouse Stocks Only Drug-Free Employees

One Source Warehouse is a wholesale auto parts company in Houston, Texas, owned and operated by the Albee family. The Albees employ a total of 110 employees at the company's 10 locations. The work force is approximately 30% administrative and 70% drivers and warehouse personnel.

About four years ago, the company was experiencing severe theft problems accompanied by high turnover among drivers and stockers. One driver worked for the company just one week before disappearing with one of the company's vans. Although neither driver nor van was ever seen again, the Albees learned from the man's wife that her husband had been involved in drugs. Although drivers were screened through reviews of their driving records, Shane Albee, vice president of the firm, became increasingly aware that 'more often than not, if there was a problem, drugs were involved. It was bad for the company, bad for the employees, bad for the customers.... We needed to do something about it, and we did.'

Mr. Albee contacted a drug testing laboratory which provided a consultant to help draft a company policy specifically addressing the needs of the company. After it was reviewed by a lawyer experienced in drug testing, the policy was announced and explained to all employees. Following a 30-day waiting period, during which time employees with substance abuse problems were encourage to seek assistance, the policy was put into effect.

Employees were aware that they were to be tested sometime after that 30-day period ended. Three walked out.

Now the company conducts preemployment screening and post-accident testing, and randomly tests ten percent of its employees every month. While that averages out to roughly one test per year for each employee, there is no certainty for the odds. 'With these random tests you never know,' says Albee. 'The computer once picked me four months in a row.' No one is exempted from drug testing, not even the Albees themselves.

If an employee fails a test once, he or she is referred to the employee assistance program included in the health insurance policy. The worker is then tested monthly for one year. But alongside the company's uncompromising vigilance toward substance abuse remains a real commitment to its employees. 'We're not trying to single people out,' explains Albee. 'If one of our workers has a problem, we want to help them solve it.'

Shane Albee is satisfied that the drug-free workplace program is a success. Theft has decreased dramatically - there have been no major thefts since the program was implemented. Accident rates among the drivers have decreased, and the auto insurance rates have dwindled accordingly. Workers' compensation rate are 'way down,' according to Albee.

'I think we have a better work force,' Albee says. When asked how the policy affects morale, he becomes thoughtful. 'Everyone recognizes the problem we have in society today. I don't like it-I find giving a sample offensive myself. But no one wants to work around someone who's high all the time. The employees are supportive.'