Proven to be one of the most effective tools for keeping employee
morale high and insurance costs low.

Pompano Beach, FL; February 20, 2004 - Florida based Symmetrical Stair, Inc. a stair, rail and moulding-manufacturing firm is still reaping the benefits of its Drug Free Workplace Program.

Since August 2001 Symmetrical Stair has mandated a comprehensive drug-free workplace program for all employees that includes random drug testing in combination with pre-employment testing. Since the policy’s inception the number of accidents in the shop has continually decreased from 22 in 2001 to 2 in 2003. In addition, turnover decreased by 68% in 3 years. Symmetrical Stair’s drug-free workplace has proven to be one of the most effective tools for keeping employee morale high and insurance costs low.

With its drug free policy Symmetrical Stair is confident that their skilled workers’ safety is being protected . The drug free work environment enables our team members to focus get attention to every step of the process from design to materials to construction, resulting in our ultimate objective: Helping Builders Sell More Homes” stated owner AJ Cheponis.

National studies were instrumental in Symmetrical Stair’s decision to go drug free. Alcohol and drug abuse is not just a personal problem. Employees who abuse drugs negatively affect co-workers with extended absences, increased accidents, and higher employee theft. This statement was reinforced by study from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (O.S.H.A.) they found 65% of accidents on the job are caused by substance abuse and employees that abuse drugs file 6 times more worker’s compensation claims. ( Occupational Health & Safety Magazine) In addition the Office of National Drug Control Policy stated, “16.6 million illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2002, 12.4 million (74.6 percent) were employed either full or part time” Symmetrical Stair encourages other companies to go drug free.

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