Keep
Them Clean
The Benefits of Drug Testing for Your
Employees
Source: Small Business
Times
(reproduced with permission)
Author: By
Cary Silverstein for SBT
Employers regularly question whether or not drug testing is cost
effective. Is the ongoing expense supported by the results?
The answer is yes. Having a drug-free workplace is a benefit to the
employees, stakeholders and the community.
Hire Resources Inc
is proud to be part of the leading edge in the most comprehensive up-to date
drug screening technology available - Contact us for details!
Here are some frequently asked questions about
drug testing and some answers for you to consider.
How do you tell an employee to take a drug test?
The following scenarios are the most common.
-- After a conditional offer of employment [ADA].
-- With a signed consent form.
-- After an accident, test all involved.
Many times, the accident is caused by an employee who is under the
influence. About 65 percent of the on-the-job accidents are drug or alcohol
related, according to the experts at SACS Consulting.
Why should you require a drug screen?
-- According to Express Drug Screening, 30 percent of all drug
tests in the Milwaukee area are positive (50 percent marijuana, 50 percent
cocaine).
-- On a national basis of those who failed, 55 percent failed the
screening for marijuana, 15 percent for cocaine and 10 percent for
amphetamines.
-- The use of methamphetamine increased by 6 percent in 2004.
-- Government regulations require drug screening as a condition of many
of their contracts.
What do you do before you test?
-- Have a written drug and alcohol policy in place that has been
reviewed by an employment attorney.
-- Establish a policy regarding the storing of these reports
confidentially and separate from other personnel files.
-- Train supervisors annually for drugs and alcohol warning signs.
-- Seek written employee consent.
In order to have an effective drug screening program:
-- The person or firm doing the screening must be certified and
comply with HIPPA, ADA and any applicable state laws.
-- Employees should be made awareof the policy through orientation
meetings.
-- The company should post signs stating that, "We are a drug free
workplace," at the entrance to their building, in their classified ads,
and in their marketing materials.
How and where do you perform a drug screening?
-- At a drug screening facility, or on-site at your place of
business.
-- At a lab that is SAMSHA-certified, you test urine, hair and
saliva.
-- The standard "five panel" screening tests for marijuana,
cocaine, pcp, opiates and amphetamines.
-- An expanded "ten panel" screening tests for prescription
drugs in addition to the five panel drugs.
What do you do when an employee says they have a drug problem or they
test positive?
-- Refer the employee to an EAP (employee assistance program).
-- When a prescription drug is detected, an MRO (medical review
officer) talks with the doctor who prescribed the drugs to ensure they are
not being abused.
-- Discipline the employee in accordance with your policy as stated in
your employee handbook.
-- Keep all test results confidential; only inform those who need to
know.
The benefits of drug testing:
-- Reduces accidents, injuries and lost time, which could lower
your future insurance premiums for liability and worker compensation.
-- Reduces damages to company property and equipment.
-- Reduces the potential for liability (over the road drivers, delivery
personnel, heavy equipment operators, and individuals involved in the
transportation industry).
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