Random Testing
Drug use is a severe concern for employers because it makes it impossible for employees to perform their jobs effectively and puts other employees and customers at risk. Random testing for pre-employment drug tests is a common practice for employers attempting to maintain a drug-free workplace. Failed drug tests can result in several punishments, including termination and loss of unemployment benefits.
Random testing is conducted without prior notice and uses computerized random number generators to identify drug use. There are two types of random testing: DOT random testing and non-DOT random testing. DOT random testing is required for specific industries.
Legality
Pre-employment drug testing is a common practice among many employers. Some companies require it for certain positions, while others use it to reduce Workers’ Compensation insurance costs. However, the legality of these tests is a gray area. While most employers don’t violate the law, there are some situations where they do.
For example, in California, an employer must provide a conditional job offer before subjecting a potential employee to pre-employer drug tests. The state also requires employers to develop a compliant plan and policy regarding the use of drug tests. If a prospective employee refuses to take a drug test or tests positive, the employer may refuse to hire them.
Drug-affected employees can pose severe risks to the company and to the public. In addition to affecting employee performance, these substances also alter concentration and judgment. In some cases, drug testing can protect the business. In fact, employers spend more than $81 billion annually to protect their employees from drug-related injuries and illnesses. Employers can minimize the potential risk of a positive test by working with a reputable laboratory. Many laboratories offer a five or ten-panel test that detects different drugs. Each panel has a separate detection window, which is the time a drug can be seen in the system.
Oral Testing
Oral pre-employment drug testing is an increasingly popular option among employers. It provides several advantages for employers, including a quicker detection of recent drug use than urine or hair testing. According to a recent survey, employers increasingly turn to oral fluid testing. In mid-2020, the study by Current Consulting Group found that 13% of employers are implementing verbal fluid tests. By year’s end, that percentage had risen to 15%.
An oral fluid drug test is a quick, convenient method that provides accurate, confidential results. It can detect substances in the body within 30 minutes of ingestion. Oral fluid tests are also faster than urine tests, making them particularly useful for screenings after an accident or reasonable suspicion. However, the detection window for verbal fluid tests can be longer if the employee has been using the substance for a long time or frequently.
Effectiveness
Consider pre-employment drug testing to lessen the chance of hiring someone with a history of drug use. Such tests help employers detect drug use and can save your business money. Some employers even condition job offers on passing a drug test. Urine samples from potential employees are taken as part of the process. However, don’t forget about managing record keeping for drug testing as well, as you will likely have other pre employment decisions to make and it would be useful to keep a record of each applicants results in order to inform your decision.
The model is subsequently put through an initial and confirmation screening. The employer is then given the results. Employers can also use these tests in random drug testing programs for existing employees if they reasonably suspect an employee may be using drugs. These tests can also tell employers whether a candidate has recently used drugs.
Furthermore, the benefits outweigh any negatives. Some studies have shown that pre-employment drug tests can reduce turnover costs by up to 16 times. This figure includes turnover costs, health care, workers’ compensation, lost productivity, and extra sick leave costs.
