Yes. Employers in the United States are bound to provide a safe and secure work environment to their employees. Drug and alcohol abuse has created many threatening consequences to the workplace and employees’ health. Workplace drug testing has proved to be the best thing to keep drug usage in check, thereby maintaining the decorum of the workplace. Most companies and organizations conduct a standard 5-panel drug test for their employee screening, but it may differ based on the employer’s preferences and company policies. This blog will discuss the benefits that drug testing or drug screening might bring to a company.
What is Workplace Drug Testing?
Workplace drug testing is a method to test employees and candidates for illegal drugs, including prescription drugs, OTC drugs, alcohol, etc. Workplace drug testing is not mandatory in the United States, but many employers conduct drug testing to mitigate workplace risks and maintain a peaceful, productive, and effective workplace. SAMHSA encourages employers to conduct workplace drug testing by providing insurance premiums to those employers enrolled in the Drug-Free Workplace Program. Always check your state drug laws to ensure you’re covering your bases; check out drug testing in Delaware as an example.
When can an employer drug test?
An employer or a company may drug test an employee during the below-mentioned intervals.
- Pre-employment
- Random drug testing
- Suspicion-based drug testing.
- Post-Accident drug testing.
Employer drug testing reasons
An employer may drug test employees and candidates for the following reasons.
- Avoid hiring people who are under the influence of drugs
- Keep employees from drug and alcohol abuse.
- Provide a healthy and safe workplace environment.
- Complying with the federal and state laws.
Benefits for a company that drug test their employees
There are certain benefits for a company to conduct a drug test. Below are some of them
- Risk Mitigation – Primarily, drug testing, despite its cost and investment (which is low), is a significant risk mitigation factor for the employer as it helps you from hiring a drug abused person, prevents workplace accidents, and keeps the disciplinary issues in check.
- Increase Productivity – A well-organized and healthy workplace can be more productive, which improves the employee’s overall performance and the outcome of a business.
- Reduces absenteeism – A healthy workplace has a reduced absence rate and reduces workplace accidents, downtime, theft, and other workplace issues due to drug abuse.
- Discounts in Workers’ comp. Insurance premiums – If a company registers with SAMHSA’s drug-free workplace program, it may receive discounts on workers’ compensation insurance during accidents and workplace injuries.
Concluding words
Workplace drug testing helps the employer track the drug abuse and keeps a check on the employee’s health. It enhances productivity, reduces absenteeism, and improves the organization’s overall outcome, leading it to growth and development.
