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Sheila Callahan

Guide to Employee Drug Testing

How to do it right to comply with laws and keep your business safe

By Sheila Callahan, Freelance Journalist

Drug abuse costs business big money because of high employee turnover, damaged equipment, reduced productivity and theft. Drug testing can aid in screening prospective employees as well as managing your current workforce. Reliable testing is key. Implementing a proven program can make your business more efficient and a safer place to work.

It comes down to three things:

  1. Decide on the best type of program for your business.
  2. Determine who will administer it.
  3. Know the limitations of drug testing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Drug test results are only as good as the tests administered

It's important to conduct tests that yield reliable results. Use a laboratory with a track record for accuracy.
I recommend: WolfeData.com provides kits and a listing of 7,000 collection sites nationwide.

Offsite testing establishes a healthy boundary

It helps to put some distance between what employees see as an uncomfortable test and the workplace.
I recommend: Disa.com, a leading provider of full-service employee screening services, administers drug and alcohol testing policies for U.S. Department of Transportation among others.

Institute policies and procedures

Develop a company policy that outlines drug-testing procedures
I recommend: HRPolicyAnswers.com can help you set up an employee drug-testing policy. Drugsaware.com provides software to help manage your drug-testing process.

Get compliant

Federal regulations, contract or insurance requirements count as some of the reasons why employers conduct drug tests.
I recommend: Expomed.com outlines some of the reasons.

Consider costs

Generally the employer pays, although occasionally the employee pays and receives reimbursement when the test results prove negative. Some employers have dropped drug-testing programs due to high overall costs.
I recommend: Drugwarfacts.org cites recent trends and costs in employee drug testing.

Weed out drug users before hiring

Pre-employment drug testing will eliminate candidates unfit due to substance abuse.
I recommend: Preemploymentdrugtests.com has developed technology to analyze hair to test for drug abuse, a test considered much less invasive than others.

Know what to look for

There are generally five categories of substances for which people are commonly tested .
I recommend: Drugdetection.net gives you more information on these substances. Uritoxmedicaltesting.com provides an easy-to-read table that shows the types of commonly abused drugs, the timetable for their detection and the urine tests used to pinpoint them.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • A drug-testing program can deter your employees from coming to work unfit for duty.
  • Having a policy in place discourages drug abusers from applying to your organization in the first place.

The official source of Employee Drug Testing is the Employee Drug Tests page at Business.com

Employment Drug Screening
Providing online results, Nationwide Drug Screening & Volume Discounts. Results within 24 hours. We provide Criminal search, Credit reports & more.
www.managementinfoservices.com
Employee Drug Testing Programs
Comprehensive, Cost-Effective Employee Drug Testing and Physical Exams to Ensure Accurate Results and Superior Support!
Background Checks | Drug Testing | Physical Exams | Form I-9 Services
www.KrollBackgroundScreening.com
Employee Drug Testing Services LLC
Nation-wide Drug Collection offering DOT and Non-DOT services. Drug testing program is based in Fresno, CA.
Drug Testing
www.truckerdrugtesting.com
Price Quotes for Employee Background Checks: AllOptions.com
Compare background screening service quotes from multiple vendors. No obligation.
Get Quotes Now | Compare Vendors | Pricing Quotes
www.AllOptions.com

Recommended Solution Providers

Quest Diagnostics
Provider of many types of screening tests, including employee drug tests.

OHS Health and Safety Services Inc.
Provides on-site and off-site alcohol and drug-abuse testing services.

Clinical Reference Laboratory
Servicing the insurance industry with substance abuse testing and corporate wellness services.

Intoximeters, Inc.
Develops, manufactures, and markets a full line of alcohol breath testing instruments.

Breathalizer.net
Digital breathalyzers for personal and professional use.

Avitar
Developer of the world’s first on site, oral-based test for drugs-of-abuse.

Wolfe Data
Provides cost effective drug and alcohol testing programs on a national basis.

Disa
Specializes in drug and alcohol testing policies.

Drugs Aware
Developer of software for drug testing in the workplace.

DrugDetection.net
Provides details for employment drug testing.

Best Sites to Learn More

Avitar: Resources
Information about how and why to implement an effective workplace drug testing program that truly addresses and improves employee safety, risk management practices, and the corporate bottom line.

About.com: Drug Testing in the Workplace
Site includes articles about legal aspects drug testing in the workplace. Also includes guidelines for establishing a drug testing policy.

AHI Employment Law Research Center: Drug/Alcohol Testing
Articles which address the legal aspects of employee drug testing.

U.S. Department of Labor Working Partners for a Drug-Free Workplace: Drug Testing
Site which includes factors to be considered when implementing a drug testing program and includes links to local, state and federal laws, FAQs, and a Substance Abuse Information database.

Best Blogs and Forums

Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Forum
Discussion Forum regarding many aspects of drug and alcohol testing.



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