Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 Source: Johnson City Press (TN) Copyright: 2006 Johnson City Press Contact: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983 ATTORNEY: DRUG USERS MORE LIKELY TO FILE CLAIMS MOUNTAIN CITY -- Business and community leaders were briefed on the 10 most common mistakes employers make at a Johnson County Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thursday. The discussion was led by Steve Trent and Brent Young, attorneys specializing in labor and employment with the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz in Johnson City. Among topics discussed were the Family and Medical Leave Act, drug-free workplace programs, which drew the most attention from attendees, the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, harassment, termination timing and procedures, the Fair Labor Standards Act, workers' compensation, solicitation and distribution policies and avoidance of retaliation claims. At least six million Americans abuse illegal drugs, according to Trent. Recreational drug users are five times more likely to file a workers' compensation claim and 3.7 times more likely to be involved in workplace accidents than other workers. "Substance abusers are 2.5 times more likely to be absent in excess of eight days per year," Trent told attendees. The Family Medical Leave Act requires all employers with 50 or more employees to provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for eligible employees. "Most employers are unaware that an employee who is eligible for worker's compensation leave may also be eligible for FMLA leave and that these two types of leave can and should run concurrently," Trent said. Frank Arnold, 2005-06 president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the briefing/training session was a success. "We are definitely going to it again. It was a benefit to chamber members and non-members as well," he said. In 2006, Arnold said the Chamber and Johnson County officials would focus on recruiting high tech jobs, such as call centers, to offset the loss of manufacturing jobs previously provided by Levi's and the glove plant. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman