In the United States, over 67 percent of people who abuse drugs are employed. It, therefore, makes sense that employers in all industries conduct drug tests regularly. Without proper programs to test for drugs, employers may struggle with issues such as low productivity, workplace injuries, and high turnover rates. Here are a few important things to remember when conducting drug tests at work.
1. Know Who and When to Test
There are different times and reasons to conduct workplace drug tests. Knowing the right people to test and the right time to test them is critical. If, for example, your goal is to avoid employing people with drug problems, pre-employment drug testing is a good idea. Random tests are suitable for discouraging drug abuse at work. Both tests are important and some companies administer both.
2. Pick Drug Test Kits Wisely
Performing a drug test takes just a few minutes. Having the right test kits can make it easier and you won’t need to worry about the reliability of the results. Get your kits from reliable suppliers. They should be able to give you discounts for bulk options. The providers you pick should offer satisfaction and excellent customer service.
3. You Must Update Your Policy
Having a workplace drug testing policy that works is great. However, you should not assume that it will continue working forever. Update your policy to address changes in drug abuse patterns, state/federal laws, and your company’s needs. If your company has branches in different states, you may need separate policies to comply with different state laws.
4. Different Methods Suit Different Needs
When conducting drug tests, it is important to understand that methods which work for one company may not necessarily work for yours. The options include urine, hair, sweat, and blood tests. They vary in affordability, invasiveness, detection window, and the authenticity of results. Some methods are better for screening certain drugs than others.
5. Understand the Drug Detection Window
Determine the drug detection window before testing your workplace for results. Do you want to identify repetitive drug abuse, long-term patterns, or recent abuse? Your answer determines the type of drug test you need. You may need to combine various methods when conducting comprehensive Amphetamines, for example, are typically detected in two to four days with urine tests. However, a hair follicle test can detect the use of amphetamine for up to 90 days.
6. You May Need an Attorney
If any of your employees test positive for drugs, you may be at liberty to terminate their employment as stated in your policy. Alternatively, you may give them the chance to seek treatment and get back to work. If you are unsure of what to do, you may need the opinion of your attorney. The best course of action varies depending on your state and the drug for which an employee tested positive.
7. You Can’t Test Employees on a Whim
Even though it is your duty as an employer to make your workplace safe and drug-free, you cannot force employees to submit to a test on a whim. The law protects your employees’ rights. There are ways to protect your workplace without infringing on the rights of employees.
You need a written workplace policy that forbids the use of drugs. It should include all elements that are important to your company. They include a statement of implementation, purpose, your employees’ responsibilities, your responsibilities, and definitions of illicit drugs.
8. Screen for Commonly-Abused Drugs
Even though some companies may want to stick to the federal testing programs, it is wise to test for commonly abused substances. Observe the regional patterns, worker demographics, and the nature of the workplace. This way, you can determine the exact drugs that you should be testing for. Note that some test kits are better for detecting certain substances than others.
9. You Can’t Target One Employee
Drug tests cannot target just one employee or specific group unless you have reason to doubt them. You must test at least half of all your employees. If an employee suspects that you are targeting them, they can take legal action against you. Your employees have the right to know the kind of test they will be submitting to. In most cases, they prefer minimally-intrusive methods like hair, blood, and urine tests.
Testing for drugs at the workplace is one of the most effective ways to keep it safe and drug-free. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind when conducting these tests. They include: seeking the opinion of a lawyer, picking the right test kits, and picking the right method.