THC Detox Shop / Employee Drug Testing
Pre-Employment Drug TestingEmployers have many reasons for requiring pre-employment drug testing. One of the most obvious reasons is that of safety. Those handling dangerous equipment or those who drive commercial vehicles have a greater chance of accidents or inflicting injury upon themselves or others if they are under the influence. Companies have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that their employees adhere to Federal work-safety guidelines, and pre-employment drug screenings can be an effective tool.
Insurance and health-related absences provide two more reasons for implementing pre-employment drug testing. More than 175 million Americans are enrolled in workplace group health insurance; with an average of a 30% increase in premiums in the last three years, pre-employment drug testing may be one way to cut down on costs. Studies have linked short- and long-term health problems with drug abuse. Drug abusers are more likely to develop respiratory problems and are generally more susceptible to illness. Employers often view drug abusers as irresponsible since many absences can be attributed to the after-effects of drug usage. Employee absences cost employers millions of dollars every year, and many human resource experts suggest that pre-employment drug testing can reduce these costs.
However, some groups argue that pre-employment drug testing is not an accurate way to detect the use of drugs while at work. Many drugs, such as marijuana, will remain detectable for up to three weeks after usage. Other drugs, such as cocaine, may only be present for a few days after consumption. It is often a difficult call for an employer to make but most simply make their decisions cautiously. They often view it as better to not hire someone who occasionally uses drugs than to take the risk of the person using before or during working hours.
According to the Small Business Administration, companies lose an average of $7,000 per drug-using employee per year. This figure is often enough to convince an employer to implement a standard of pre-employment drug testing. In any given year, it is estimated that nearly 50 million American workers are required to have a drug screening. Advances in medical testing have made it quick, easy and relatively inexpensive for employers who wish to use this screening process. Many employers view this is as a simple means of ensuring the well being of both their company and their customers.
Employee Drug Testing
Employers entrust their workers with a vast array of responsibilities in their businesses. Many employers feel it is necessary for prospective employees to submit to a pre-employment drug screening. This is especially true in industries that require the use of heavy machinery such as forklift drivers, assembly workers and even drivers.
In the United States, we are fortunate to have strict guidelines for workplace safety. Employers are bound by law to provide a safe working environment for their employees, to minimize the risks of accidents or injuries. This is one of the most common reasons for drug testing in the workplace. Employers understand that drug abuse may alter reasoning and logical abilities, thereby causing unnecessary and preventable workplace accidents.
Drug Testing in the Workplace
Drug testing in the workplace became very popular in the 1980's. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed an executive order to ban the use of drugs among Federal employees. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 made it mandatory that Federal employees abstain from drug use whether on or off duty. The signing of this order helped to create other similar legislation in nearly every state. Many of the nation's largest corporations decided this was good practice for all employers and since that time, many employers have drug testing as a condition of employment.
Many opponents of workplace drug testing argue that this is not necessarily good practice. While most opponents recognize employer concerns regarding drug use among employees, they argue that it is a violation of their privacy to require drug testing. This is especially true among those who will not occupy positions that utilize dangerous equipment, such as office workers. Most likely, this is a debate that will not end in the near future. Employers take advantage of their rights to test employees for drugs, while opponents will continue to argue against possible privacy right violations.
