Drug use can have very serious consequences for the health of your employees, as well as the company in general. There are many repercussions if drugs in your workplace are not taken seriously, so it's important that you know the essentials of an employee drug screening program.

The United States Department of Labor reports that drug and alcohol abuse causes 65% of workplace accidents; yet, despite safety protocols, 40% of all industrial workplace fatalities are the result of drug or alcohol impairment.

The Dangers of Drug Abuse in the Workplace

Drug use is a serious problem in the workplace.

Employees use illicit drugs when they’re not at work and then show up impaired, tired, or sick. The consequences can be devastating for employers, so it is important to provide routine drug testing.

The dangers extend beyond the drug itself. Employees who use drugs at work are more likely to engage in unsafe behaviors such as driving while under the influence of drugs like cocaine and marijuana, or engaging in injury-causing behaviors like work-related accidents and workplace violence.

In addition, drug use will lead to performance issues like errors and poor quality work. It is important to test employees for drugs and alcohol early in their careers so that they know what behaviors are expected and have time to deal with the consequences of drug or alcohol use.

Is Employee Drug Testing Really Necessary?

Drug testing is a necessary part of any company’s safety policy. It’s important to protect the health and safety of your employees and ensure that they are not using illegal drugs.

Drug testing will help to identify employees who would be likely to cause accidents or injuries if they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Drug testing can help to prevent drug abuse or addiction in employees. If an employee is addicted to drugs, they may be more likely to engage in dangerous behavior at work.

Drug testing can help to ensure that the company has a good working environment. If there are any signs of drug abuse or addiction, it can be dealt with quickly.

When to Begin an Employee Drug Screening Program

It is important to implement a drug testing program as soon as possible, even if it may be a challenge to get everyone who needs to be tested on board right away.

Employers should consider starting a drug testing program for both new hires and existing employees.

If your company has a history of drugs or alcohol abuse, you should begin a drug screening program sooner. This will help to protect employees and safeguard your company from potential lawsuits.

You can also use drug testing as an opportunity to educate employees about the dangers of drug abuse.

In general, you should begin a drug screening program when it is safe and necessary. Talk to your attorney or other specialists to find out when this is the right time for your company.

Strengthen Your Company with an Employee Drug Screening Program

Having a drug testing program in your company is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your employees safe and compliant. Here are some reasons why you need a drug testing program:

1. Drug use is a rampant problem in the workplace. Drug use can lead to absenteeism, poor performance, and even accidents. A drug testing program will help to identify and punish those who are using drugs, hopefully preventing these negative consequences from happening.

2. A drug testing program can help increase retention. An employer that has an honest, fair and reasonable drug testing program will retain its best employees rather than lose them because of the presence of illegal drugs in the workplace. This helps to save you time and money on recruitment costs.

3. A drug testing program can help to reduce employee theft. Employees who are using drugs and alcohol have impaired judgment, which leads to riskier behavior. A drug testing program will help to ensure that they are not working while under the influence. This will help to reduce the chances of bad choices that can lead to lost or stolen property.

4. A drug testing program can help to improve morale among your employees. When employees know that they are responsible for their own safety and well-being, they are more likely to feel committed to your company. This enhances efficiency and productivity.

Things to Consider

You need to make sure that the tests are reliable and accurate.

You need to make sure that the program is easy to use and implement.

You need to make sure that the costs of drug testing are reasonable.

You need to make sure that the program is enforced fairly and consistently across the entire company.

You need to make sure that the program is effective at reducing drug use in the workplace and that it does not adversely impact employee morale.

You need to make sure that the program is fair and impartial and does not discriminate against employees based on race, age, gender or any other grounds.

You need to make sure that you have a representative of your company who oversees the program and makes corrections or changes as needed.

You need to make sure that you have a method for retesting employees who test positive on the initial screening if they fail it.

CIC Drug Testing Solutions for Employers

CIC offers comprehensive drug and alcohol testing solutions to companies who struggle with the risks and the costs of drugs in the workplace.

We have partnered with leading providers of drug and alcohol testing with extensive experience providing these services to companies, government organizations, and educational institutions.

Substance abuse management and testing programs to keep your employees safe and protect against liability:

• Nationwide Lab Network (30,000 federally certified SAMHSA labs)
• DOT and Non-Dot Testing
• Electronic COC
• Employee Rechecks

Schedule some time to learn more about our drug and alcohol testing program and how to avoid the risks of substance abuse in the workplace.

Detect Illegal Drugs in the Workplace with Professional Surveillance

In addition to establishing an employee drug screening program, CIC works closely with our clients to develop and implement a strategic plan to expose drugs in the workplace while reducing any negative impact on the workforce.

CIC has been tasked with managing and overseeing routine surveillance for clients who have suspected an employee of using illegal drugs on company property.

Through use of surveillance and documentation, our clients have been able to prove actionable conduct that led to termination of employees using drugs.

Get in touch with our investigators for more information about the process. We are ready to help you.

For more information about this article, or general Employment Screening Services, please contact us at 1.800.573.2201 / 419.874.2201.