Employers should seriously consider the benefits of instituting a drug-free workplace policy and a drug testing methodology for several reasons, most of which are suitable for the workplace. Drug testing in the workplace, whether pre-employment drug screens or random testing, offers several benefits for the protection of workers and employers. If you run or work for a company that does not have a policy for drug and alcohol testing in the workplace, you may have questions about the possible benefits of instituting such a program. Below you will learn the benefits of drug testing and the rules associated with drug testing employees.
It Encourages Employee Safety And Health
Those in charge of overseeing “safety-sensitive” occupations, such as those governed by the Department of Transportation, can use employee drug testing to discover potential safety risks both during the pre-employment and continuous working stages of employment .
An employer may identify high-risk candidates with the potential for workplace drug and alcohol misuse by administering a drug test prior to hiring them. The same can be stated for the procedures of random drug testing in the workplace, as these services may assist in monitoring and maintaining workplace safety. Continuous testing in the workplace may lessen the likelihood of employees sustaining significant injuries or even losing their lives due to activities such as operating heavy equipment or business vehicles.
It Is Useful Keep Customers Safe
In the same way that drug testing in the workplace may improve the safety of your employees, it can also improve the safety of your customers. The ability of employees to properly handle massive equipment and tools near clients is essential to the success of many employment areas, including the retail trade and the transportation industry. An elevated risk of substance misuse in the workplace may be experienced by an organisation that does not undertake either random or pre-employment drug testing.
It Contributes To The Reduction Of Employer Costs And Liability
An essential benefit of drug testing in the workplace for companies is the minimisation of responsibility and the expenses accompanying it in the event of an incident involving employees or customers. If a worker’s drug use causes them to be negligent and cause injury to another employee or client, the employer may be subject to highly significant legal threats.
It does not look perfect for a company in court if they cannot establish that they have drug testing standards in place for roles considered to be safety-sensitive, which might cost the company thousands of dollars.
Even though legislation requiring employee drug testing contribute to an increased level of general workplace safety, there are a few extra benefits associated with drug testing that are of direct use to workers. After an event or injury that occurred at work and the employee was not at fault for the mishap but was unfairly blamed for it, the employee may profit from the process for drug testing. This is one case in which the employee may benefit.
Consider the case of an employee who has an injury while working in a factory due to a slip and fall. Suppose an employee agrees to submit to drug and alcohol testing. In that case, they will be able to provide evidence that they were fully sober at the time of the accident, which will safeguard their right to get medical treatment in the event that they are injured on the job.
