Drug testing has become a standard procedure for many companies across the world. This is essential as a pre-hiring practice and also as a random practice for the already existing employees. The practice comes with a number of benefits and therefore is encouraged. There are multiple health laboratories offering lab tests across the United States of America or even distributing the necessary tools for this work including drug testing cups among others.
There are several reasons why drug testing in the workplace is important and these include the following:
It helps enhance workplace safety
Workplace safety is definitely an important aspect when it comes to productivity and success. It goes without saying that drugs use can result in impaired judgment on the side of users and also cause a slow reaction to issues.
Mostly, some jobs require sober minds especially for drivers and factory machine operators and having a drug user take the wheel could result in serious accidents and cost a business or company a great deal.
Deaths and serious injuries have been reported in the past where employees either drove trucks or operated machinery while under the influence but this can be prevented by ensuring that those hired aren’t abusing drugs of any kind.
The primary reason for conducting a drug test is to ensure that employers, co-employees, general public and company equipment are safe.
Helps retain the best employees
Every employer wants to definitely hire and retain the best employees possible. While we all want the best papers and resumes, drug testing can reveal things not captured in CVs thus helping companies and businesses to select only those who are sober and without drug abuse records.
In many cases, employees without drug abuse issues are reliable and more productive and this is what every employer desires. Companies should be upfront with their drug policies when hiring thus helping filter out the potential employees who might be using drugs currently.
As a matter of fact, conducting random drug tests at the workplace could help deter drug use from existing employees.
It can help businesses and companies save money
Drug-using employees can be a major financial liability for any company or business. A good example is where a truck driver causes an accident while driving under the influence which definitely costs the company money and time.
Companies experience major losses monetarily due to accidents and loss of productivity among employees and this can be avoided by conducting random drug tests, an exercise that should be well captured in company policy.
Companies can avoid any kind of exposure to potential lawsuits connected with employees who use drugs.
To help with employee rehabilitation
Although business productivity is important, there is no denying that the employees’ wellbeing is far important or should be a concern for any reasonable employer. As such, it is important to approach drug testing exercise with the employee wellbeing in mind rather than doing it for punitive purposes.
An employee who tests positive for drug use could be helped before they sink deep into drug abuse and addiction. As a business or company owner, using an employee just to achieve your profits isn’t the best approach and thus helping those who are found to be using drugs get rehabilitated and still keep their jobs could be one of the best approaches possible.
An employee who gets this kind of help could prove to be one of the key assets of any company when the right approach is employed. Drug screening can help save a life and a career and this is absolutely important.
Can protect companies from hiring the wrong people
Companies that embrace pre-employment drug testing stand a position to prevent against hiring people who are already using drugs. Rather than take an employee who becomes a liability, a company can make the right decision and keep away people who seek employment but are unable to pass the screening.
As people show interest in the job opportunities available in your company, conducting a drug screening exercise as part of the interview process will go a long way in separating between those who are clean and those who are using drugs.
Final Words
There are many other benefits such as protecting your business’ or company’s reputation within the locality of your operations, preventing against new cases of drug use among the current crop of employees and cutting down on the cost of health for your entity.
It is however very important to have a clear understanding of the legal aspects of this exercise and how to handle matters especially if an employee or potential employee fails the test. On top of that, it is important to work with a health lab that offers quality services while using the best tools for the job.
Drug screening can be done using a urine drug test cup or saliva drug test kits among others. However, urine cups are considered more reliable and can show accurate results compared to many other approaches.
Personal counseling can also help in this issue. Exercises and health care practices should be promoted among the employees to keep them away from drug abuse.
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