In any business, maintaining safe working environment for workers and clients is crucial for determining the success of that organization. A very important method of achieving this is through policies that require frequent drug testing. Illegitimate substance abuse in the workplace lowers the productivity, increases accidents at workplace and can lead to legal actions against the employee. Therefore, frequency of drug test with employees are important factors to consider.

When organizations are aiming at establishing sound drug testing, they have to choose quality drug test kits. These kits are simple to use and provide rapid, precise results, allowing the employers to protect the health condition of their workers as well as control personnel policies and rules. It is clear that by buying from a reputable supplier such as DTKUSA, organizations can gain full assurance of getting quality products that can provide accurate results without any concerns about a false positive or negative.

When to drug test your employees?

Here are some common situations when drug testing is recommended:

1. Pre-Employment testing

If a drug test is administered prior to the hired employee joining the company – an employer can sift them out if they are detected to be a threat to the safety, efficiency or organizational credibility. Since operating machinery, driving or handling heavy equipment are activities that highly require concentration, while many companies especially those that receive government contracts have established a legality of drug testing during employment.

2. Random testing

Pre-employment drug testing enables organization to prevent its employees from using drugs in their lifetime while working for the organization. It is a test carried out randomly without the workers knowledge. Random tests offer flexibility, but the number of tests might differ. It depends on the interests of the company’s management and the employees’ rights to privacy. However, many continue to prefer the frequency of three or six months.

3. Post-Accident testing

If an employee is involved in an accident or an injury at workplace, there is a need to perform a post-accident drug test to determine whether the employee was under the influence of a drug or alcohol when the accident occurred. If not, it can also ensure needed medical for the employee while also protecting the company from legal liabilities and/or take corrective measures. If possible, such test should be done the earliest time possible after the mishap to minimize the risk of substance getting cleared from the system.

4. Reasonable suspicion testing

If an employee reveals reckless behaviour or is absent for many days or displays poor productivity level, the employer can perform drug testing. Reasonable suspicion testing helps to identify those individuals who might be unsafe to themselves or others.

5. Return-to-work testing

Workers who had a drug issue and went on a leave either voluntarily or through a rehab program or disciplinary action need to submit to drug test before returning to work. This ensures that they are fully conscious and in the correct state to perform their job.

Drug testing frequency

It depends on –

• Work nature
• Risk level
• Company policy

Generally, a blend of all the above is the most effective approach. Remember to balance employee privacy with workplace safety to ensure testing is done in compliance with state and federal laws. Inform the employees and clearly outline the policy in their handbooks. Stay updated about changes in drug testing laws to ensure legal adherence.