Drug testing can be a powerful tool in the fight against employee substance abuse. It can help employers identify and weed out employees abusing drugs or alcohol in the workplace, which helps improve productivity.
However, there are concerns regarding the cost of random drug testing in the workplace. Read on to learn more about some of the costs associated with this important tool.
Cost
Drug testing is considered one of companies’ most effective tools for a safe work environment. Performing random tests for compliance with a company’s drug policy deters employee drug and alcohol use. It allows managers to identify workers needing help for addiction or mental health issues. Some companies also find that a strong drug-free workplace policy can reduce worker accidents, injuries, and absenteeism, resulting in higher productivity.
Companies that perform random drug testing collect urine, hair, or saliva samples from selected employees without advance notice. These tests are conducted by a third-party administrator or by using a computer program that ensures each employee has an equal chance of being selected. When employees are notified that they have been randomly chosen, they must report to the test site immediately and provide a sample. Employees who refuse to take a sample may face consequences from the company’s drug policy.
Although random testing costs a little more than pre-employment screening, it is worth the investment in safety and productivity. Employers should remember that a single accident due to an employee under the influence of drugs can cost billions in damages, liability, and lost production. A company must invest in a comprehensive drug and alcohol testing program to prevent employees from working under the influence.
Effectiveness
While pre-employment drug testing is a powerful tool, it’s not the only one employers can use to deter employee substance abuse. Unannounced random testing is just as effective, if not more so, in catching employees who regularly take drugs or alcohol on the job. This type of testing can catch abusers even if they’re not showing obvious signs of being under the influence. Those who have become used to abusing substances may have figured out how to hide their behavior and symptoms.
It’s also important to remember that worker safety is the primary reason for workplace drug testing. A healthy and well-rested workforce is more productive, less likely to take unnecessary sick days, and can handle work-related accidents or incidents with minimal risk. Drug abusers, on the other hand, tend to be less reliable and can create a dangerous situation for the company.
While some critics of random testing argue that it violates civil liberties and privacy, most employers who implement the policy have found it to be a good investment in worker safety. Some studies have shown that school districts implementing random drug testing see fewer students start smoking cigarettes and using marijuana. If a student tests positive, the school can refer them to treatment programs that will help them get clean.
False Positives
The most common reason employers have drug testing programs is to deter employee drug use. Employees who know they might be tested anytime are less likely to take drugs. As a result, workplace accidents decline, and productivity increases. This is especially true when the tests are combined with an Employee Assistance Program.
A drug test examines alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (like Xanax and Valium), cannabis, opiates, PCP, and phencyclidine. These tests can be performed on urine, blood, saliva, and hair. Generally, urine is the most commonly used method of testing for employees. It can detect the most types of drugs and is easy to administer. Blood and hair tests are more expensive but can detect more than just the drugs listed above. These more invasive testing methods also tend to have a higher rate of false positives than urine tests.
The best way to prevent a false positive on an employee drug test is to be upfront with your employer about any supplements, medications, or foods that could trigger a false positive. This will allow your employer to run a secondary confirmatory test proving you are innocent. This will save you the hassle of losing your job and potential legal trouble. Moreover, it will help your employer save money by not having to pay for a replacement worker.
Legality
Random drug tests are perfectly legal because companies draft and implement their drug testing policies according to state laws. To ensure no hint of bias or discrimination in the process, companies must ensure that the policy they use clearly lays out their procedure from start to finish.
If an employee is notified that they will be subject to a random drug test, it is important that they promptly report to the collection site. Failing to do so could lead to disciplinary action such as termination. If an employee does fail a drug test, they may have grounds for a lawsuit, depending on their situation.
Worker safety is one of the biggest reasons companies use random drug testing. Employees under the influence of drugs are much more likely to cause workplace accidents. This increases your liability and leads to higher employee turnover rates, decreased productivity, and lower overall worker efficiency.
A good random drug testing program will deter employees from taking drugs in the first place. They will be aware that the company is randomly testing, so they are more likely to avoid drugs altogether. In addition, the element of surprise will prevent workers from trying to cheat a test by using synthetic urine or other methods.
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