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- Download this Free Guide for you to help you better understand different drug testing methods that fit your organization's needs
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on Common Questions about how to set up Drug-Free Workplace Policy" |
EMPLOYEE DRUG ADDICTION- WORKPLACE DRUG TESTING
Maintaining a safe environment in the workplace is of the utmost importance in protecting your employees and yourself as the employer. In creating a safe work environment, the issue of drug use and drug testing is often overlooked. One of the best ways to ensure that you are providing a protected work environment is by performing employee drug testing.
Never assume that your child cannot succumb to drug abuse. Regardless of race, gender or social class, drugs can affect your teen's life. In order to set up your plan of action,you must learn and recognize the signs of abuse.
Drug Problems Affecting Productivity & Quality & Cost
Identify areas of your organization that may be negatively impacted by drug and alcohol abuse. Research has shown that health care, workers’ compensation, insurance and liability costs can be affected by drug and alcohol use. In addition, productivity of employees can be impacted as a result of their own or family members' and coworkers' problems with alcohol or drugs.
Here are some of the areas you can analyze information to determine the magnitude and typesof drug problems that your organization might be facing:
» Absenteeism
» Liability and insurance costs
» Product and/or service issues
» Workers' compensation claims
» Accidents
» Health care costs
» Cost for replacing damaged equipment and inventory
» Cost of work spoilage
If any of these costs are higher than you would expect for a business of your size in your industry, alcohol and other drug problems may be a contributing factor. Track these costs following implementation of your drug-free workplace program to see if your new policy has contributed to bringing these costs down to your expectations.
Drug Problems Regarding to Sensitive Employee Tasks
Your organization may employ or contract with individuals who are in safety-sensitive jobs. These can include positions that require individuals to operate machinery, handle money or care for people who are dependent upon them. These types of employees may be held to a higher standard of safety than other employees. If you have such employees, you may want to implement the most comprehensive type of drug testing program.
Examples of safety-sensitive positions are:
» Drivers
» Security personnel
» Health care workers
» Employees who work with young and/or elderly
» Employees who handle money
» Employees who handle sensitive information like financial data, social security
numbers, and personal records
» Employees that you send to customer locations, especially homes
» Employees who work with dangerous equipment and/or chemicals
» Employees who, in the performance of their duties, are entrusted with public
safety
Understand the law
Some states and federal laws can make setting up an employee drug testing program difficult. Because many people view drug testing as an invasion of privacy, many recent court cases have involved the protection of employee rights. Seeking legal advice can help you understand what you can and cannot do within the parameters of a drug test program in your state.
Design a program for your needs
Each drug user can cost a company thousands of dollars, translating into billions spent each year due to healthcare needs, injuries, damage, lawsuits and lost working time. By implementing a drug testing program in your workplace, it enables you to achieve on-the-spot results with them use of inexpensive testing products which provide laboratory accurate results. Lab analysis is not needed in many tests, which can greatly reduce costs or provide a cost-effective alternative for your company.
