Are Employers’ Objectives for Workplace Drug Testing Shifting?

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Drug testing is an essential tool for employers to determine the presence of drugs, including prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and alcohol in an individual’s system. It’s a process that involves testing biological samples such as urine, blood, hair, or saliva to detect the presence of drugs. Drug testing employees has been a common practice for many years and the evolution of workplace drug testing is ever changing. Perhaps the objectives are changing as well.
 
Why Drug Testing? 

When workplace drug testing programs started gaining popularity more than 30 years ago, employers quickly experienced many benefits. The overwhelming evidence and value of a drug testing program included the following: 
 
1. Reduced Employee Theft 
The types of theft include any loss such as missing money or products, accounting errors, and broken items.  
 
2. Increased Productivity 
Individuals abusing drugs often don’t fully focus on their work, leading to low work output, and find making sound decisions difficult, leading to poor performance. Drug-free workers tend to be much more productive than their drug-using co-workers. 

3. Reduced Accidents 
Drug and/or alcohol use can cloud judgment and slow a person’s reflexes. This is not only dangerous to the individual but also to other employees. Accidents can happen if the employee is not able to fulfill their duties properly. Furthermore, impaired movements often lead to accidents that cause property damage, injuries, or even loss of life. 

4. Higher Turnover Rates 
Drug users typically change jobs several times per year causing employers to incur the cost of replacing these workers. Further, drug-free employees are often left to pick up the slack of lost productivity causing discontent and causing some employees to search for employment elsewhere.   
 
Improved productivity, lower turnover rates, and lower accident rates have all been attributed to employee drug testing, substantiating the value and return on investment (ROI) for employers who incorporate drug testing in the workplace. Based on those benefits among others, employers view drug testing as an expense worth incurring.  
  
What’s Happening Now in the World of Workplace Drug Testing? 
 
Undoubtedly, illicit drug use is a serious concern generally in the workplace, and drug testing helps employers protect their company’s bottom line. But testing isn’t just about the bottom line. Many employers see the big picture when it comes to drug testing. Savings and profits are  great short-term benefits, but they also contribute to long-term benefits such as their employees’ safety, health, and overall well-being.  
 
Today, many employers are emphasizing purpose along with profits and the objectives of a testing program are expanding to include the following: 
 

• Recovery. Drug tests can be the start of a healing process. Some employers encourage their employees who fail workplace drug tests to seek treatment. With help, some  employees can become drug free and return to work upon completion of a drug treatment program.  

 

• Allowing Voluntary Admissions. A process built into a company’s policy that allows employees to voluntarily come forward seeking assistance for a drug and/or alcohol problem can help the company and the individual avoid the consequences typically associated with a positive drug test result.    

 

• Offering Drug Awareness Training. Raising awareness of the dangers of substance abuse and increasing awareness about the risks and hazards of substance abuse in the workplace is very valuable.  

 

• Encouraging Employee Responsibility. Emphasizing the value of a drug-free work environment can secure commitment to the program from employees. Sharing the program requirements and what constitutes a program violation leads to increased responsibility to remain drug-free while at work. 

 

• Offering Support. Creating a safe and supportive workplace for recovering employees is essential to fostering an environment of respect and understanding. Employers offering professional development opportunities promote long-term recovery success. This may include providing reasonable accommodations, access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or support groups, or online rehabilitation. ​

Conclusion 

As businesses confront the new reality that substance use among employees is their problem, adjusting workplace drug testing programs is essential for employer success. By implementing comprehensive drug testing programs, employers can reduce the risks associated with drug use, protect their workforce, and create a culture of accountability and well-being. 
DrugPak Software helps hundreds of businesses of all sizes effectively manage and monitor their drug testing programs. Contact us to learn how we can help your drug testing program succeed here. 
 
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