In today’s workplace culture, testing for drug use has become increasingly popular. Workplace drug testing comes in three forms: pre-employment drug testing, a random drug testing program, or when used to test employees if the employer has a reasonable suspicion of substance abuse.
Reasonable suspicion comes in a number of forms, but often employers choose to drug test an employee if they receive credible information concerning that particular employee having a drug problem (or after a workplace accident/constant absenteeism).
Proponents of workplace drug testing cite lowered accident and injury rates and overall positive results as the number one benefit of screening job candidates for drugs.
While it is true that many on-the-job accidents are caused by alcohol and substance abusers, opponents argue that these injuries can actually increase when workers feel compelled to abuse drugs while at work to keep up with their non-using peers.
Drug testing in the workplace doesn’t just help identify individuals under the influence of drugs. It can also provide proof of a worker’s commitment to a drug-free workplace and the safety of fellow employees and the public. The way in which companies implement their drug testing policies can vary, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons of drug testing from an employer’s perspective.
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