Drug tests are typically conducted before an employee starts a job after a conditional offer of employment. These tests can also be conducted if an employer suspects drug use based on observable behavior or after an accident to determine if drugs were a contributing factor.
Companies that conduct pre-employment drug screenings must clearly state that an offer of employment is contingent upon passing a test. This is in keeping with federal and state regulations for safety-sensitive industries like transportation.
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Increased Absenteeism
Many employers use drug screening to increase workplace safety and protect their business from liability. In addition, it helps them reduce costs associated with employee absenteeism, worker’s compensation claims, and productivity losses. However, the process can be complicated if you don’t have clear and comprehensive guidelines.
Employers should develop a thorough drug test policy to ensure accurate results and adhere to all regulatory requirements. This policy should include details regarding the type of drugs being tested, the frequency of testing, and the consequences of failing a test. Additionally, it’s essential to choose a qualified laboratory that can provide you with the best results and ensure the sample’s integrity.
While some employees resent workplace drug testing, most agree that it’s a necessary measure to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the workplace. Some positions are required by law to undergo periodic or random drug testing following federal regulations and industry-specific standards.
Workplace drug abuse can have a profoundly negative impact on both morale and profits. It causes workers to miss more time from their jobs and may lead to decreased efficiency and reduced productivity. It can also increase healthcare costs, lost wages, and workers’ compensation claims. These issues cost businesses an estimated $80 billion annually in lost productivity, direct medical expenses, and legal liabilities.
Increased Workers’ Compensation Claims
Many workers high on illegal drugs cannot perform their job duties well. They may be more likely to cause an accident on the job, which could lead to costly workers’ compensation claims. Drug testing can help prevent this by weeding out employees with substance abuse problems.
While some employers have fired workers who tested positive for drugs, most provide them with resources and assistance to get them into treatment programs. This helps save the company money in workers’ compensation claims while helping the employees get back on their feet and have a stable life.
Pre-employment drug tests can be an excellent way to reduce absenteeism, improve worker morale, and increase productivity. They can be instrumental in safety-sensitive positions like trucking and law enforcement, where an accident involving an employee under the influence of drugs can cost the business millions of dollars in lost revenue.
However, it’s essential to remember that drug testing isn’t a perfect solution for workplace problems. Some studies have shown that a positive test result can predict future alcohol and drug abuse, even after hiring an employee.
Increased Turnover Rates
In addition to increased absenteeism and workers’ compensation claims, employees who abuse drugs can be a huge liability to their employers. Employers that conduct pre-employment drug tests and routine testing can reduce crime, accidents, and turnover rates while boosting morale and productivity.
Several studies have shown that job applicants who test positive on drug tests perform worse on critical job behaviors than those who do not.
These findings suggest a pre-employment drug testing program can substantially improve employer selection decisions. However, it is essential to note that the predictive efficacy of a drug test depends on critical selection parameters and the prevalence of drug use in the population tested.
Because job applicants know they will be subject to a pre-employment drug test, they can avoid using drugs before the test, ensuring that they will pass and not have any issues to deal with upon hire.
Reduced Productivity
Drug abuse can decrease productivity, safety concerns, healthcare costs, and compensation claims. Testing helps companies decrease these costs by deterring drug use and identifying problem employees before they become costly liabilities.
However, some studies question whether workplace drug tests achieve their intended purposes. The primary issue is that employees have every reason to abstain from drugs in the days leading up to a test, and many substances can remain in the body for weeks. As a result, these tests may not detect actual substance abuse in the workplace and could instead serve as a tool to stigmatize those using drugs.
Recreational drug use can cause short-term effects, including harmful shifts in heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia, changes in appetite, stroke, psychosis, and even overdose and death. Long-term drug abuse can lead to various health problems, including heart or lung disease, cancer, mental illness, hepatitis, and addiction.
Developing a comprehensive drug testing policy is vital for businesses. Employers should work closely with occupational health providers to develop a list of substances to be tested for, the frequency of testing, and consequences for positive results. They should also check their state’s laws to follow the appropriate guidelines. They should also understand that urine, saliva, and hair samples detect substance use over different periods. While urine and saliva tests can detect recent use, hair samples can detect abuse up to a month earlier.
