WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Workers suspended as employee drug testing begins at Foxwoods (Mashantucket-WTNH) _ The folks who run Foxwoods are going to great lengths to keep their employees clean and sober. The Mashantucket Pequots have just begun a new program at the casino that calls for random drug testing. With about 12,000 employees there it's already having an effect. News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports from our southeastern newsroom at The Day. Foxwoods is embarking on a new 'zero-tolerance' policy. Under it all casino employees will be subjected to random drug tests. Based on our informal poll it seems many workers are all for it. Joanna Faiola, Foxwoods Employee: "I think it's a real good idea, people handling lots of money should have their head together, people dealing with people every day should have their head together." Previously workers were drug tested before they were hired, or in special cases if a manager suspected someone of abusing drugs. Now for about 12,000 employees tests could come at any time. The first group of employees to be tested belonged to the transportation department shuttle bus drivers, valet parking attendants and folks like that. 21 tested positive for illegal substances and were suspended without pay. They can't return to work until they join an assistance program and agree to get drug abuse counselling. If they fail a second test though they could be fired. Tyrone Champion, Foxwoods Employee: "I think it's a good idea." "Why?" Champion: "I just think it's somewhat of a problem and i think they need to address it." So far addressing it hasn't caused too much controversy. Because of the suspensions transportation employees are working six days a week until further notice. But apart from that most employees say ultimately zero-tolerance will lead to a safer work environment and a more productive work force. Wendy Blair, Foxwoods Employee: "I'm sure there's gonna be pros and cons, but as far as i'm concerned, it doesn't effect me, it doesn't bother me, i think it's a good idea." Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Workers suspended as employee drug testing begins at Foxwoods
(Mashantucket-WTNH) _ The folks who run Foxwoods are going to great lengths to keep their employees clean and sober. The Mashantucket Pequots have just begun a new program at the casino that calls for random drug testing. With about 12,000 employees there it's already having an effect.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports from our southeastern newsroom at The Day.

Foxwoods is embarking on a new 'zero-tolerance' policy. Under it all casino employees will be subjected to random drug tests. Based on our informal poll it seems many workers are all for it.

Joanna Faiola, Foxwoods Employee: "I think it's a real good idea, people handling lots of money should have their head together, people dealing with people every day should have their head together."

Previously workers were drug tested before they were hired, or in special cases if a manager suspected someone of abusing drugs. Now for about 12,000 employees tests could come at any time.

The first group of employees to be tested belonged to the transportation department shuttle bus drivers, valet parking attendants and folks like that. 21 tested positive for illegal substances and were suspended without pay. They can't return to work until they join an assistance program and agree to get drug abuse counselling. If they fail a second test though they could be fired.

Tyrone Champion, Foxwoods Employee: "I think it's a good idea."
"Why?"
Champion: "I just think it's somewhat of a problem and i think they need to address it."

So far addressing it hasn't caused too much controversy. Because of the suspensions transportation employees are working six days a week until further notice. But apart from that most employees say ultimately zero-tolerance will lead to a safer work environment and a more productive work force.

Wendy Blair, Foxwoods Employee: "I'm sure there's gonna be pros and cons, but as far as i'm concerned, it doesn't effect me, it doesn't bother me, i think it's a good idea."

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WTNH Home Page.