Drug screening for employment is a common requirement before bringing on new employees at an organization. Some organizations also require periodic randomized testing of their employees. Before you start a drug screening program at your company, however, you’ll want to read these questions and make sure you’re aware of how to run drug screenings for employment.
What types of drug screening options are there?
Many different types of tests exist to see if people might potentially be using drugs. There are two main categories of tests, “conventional” and “instant.” Conventional tests include urine, blood, hair and saliva-based tests. Instant tests include dip cassettes, saliva drug tests, integrated drug test cups and breath-alcohol tests. Some types of conventional testing may take a few hours or days to process, but they may be more optimal for your organization if you don’t need instant results.
What benefits do I get from a drug testing program?
Some employers may be hesitant to begin a drug testing program, since they’re not always incredibly efficient. However, there are many benefits to starting drug testing for potential employees and even current hires. Drug screening before employment can help you be sure that you’re making the right decision during the hiring process. It may also help you protect your organization – as the National Federal of Independent Business points out, drug users may be more likely to apply for a job at small companies, since they may not have well-established drug testing procedures. Easy ordering and online processes make it easier than ever to start a drug testing program in your workplace, making these benefits even more useful.
What are the laws surrounding drug testing?
While every state is different, you do want to ensure that you’re on the right side of the law when it comes to drug testing. For example, testing specific people in your workplace (instead of testing all employees) might potentially open you up to discrimination lawsuits. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re lawfully testing potential hires, which, in many cases, requires making a conditional offer of employment before conducting the drug screening.
While drug testing can be a great way to ensure that your office and clientele stay safe, it may also come along with a few challenges. Before you start a drug testing program at your workplace, make sure you’re well aware of the benefits and potential liabilities. This will help protect both you and your place of employment. Contact us!