substance free workplace | Carolina Testing - Drugs | Alcohol | DNA

The most widely used and abused “drug” in American workplaces today might surprise you. A common definition of the word “drug” is “a habit-forming medicinal or illicit substance, especially a narcotic.” The only problem is that this “drug” or substance is 100% legal in the United States. In fact, the government makes money from the sale of this substance by taxing it and regulating it. If you haven’t figured it out by now, the number one used and abused substance in the workplace is alcohol.

Alcohol abusers number over 14 million in the United States alone and many of them are gainfully employed in our workplaces. Alcohol is responsible for a large number of workplace accidents and injuries. In addition, alcohol abuse in the workplace leads to billions of dollars in lost revenues for businesses due to absences, lower productivity, employee turnover, rising health costs and more.

Employers are aware of the costs borne by employees with alcohol problems and are implementing strict alcohol use guidelines in their substance free workplace programs. The main objective of these policies is to keep alcohol use out of the workplace through education, supervisor training and testing. Providing educational opportunities for employees on the effects of alcohol use and abuse in the workplace is the first step. Part of that education must include making employees aware of the resources available to them if they do have a problem. Employers should have literature and materials available to all employees about local resources or the company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Supervisors must be trained in identifying and observing signs of substance use on the job. They must be trained on how to confront the situation properly and how to get the employee tested if need be. The company’s substance free workplace program must include the ability to test employees for alcohol use in situations like reasonable suspicion, post-accident or random testing.

Regulated companies, such as those regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) must have a substance free workplace policy and program in place that includes drugs and alcohol. Non regulated companies are not required to have such policies and programs in place. However, more and more companies are seeing the value of a substance free workplace program for the health and safety of their employees as well as the cost savings. Making sure that these policies address the number one used and abused substance is critical to a solid substance free workplace program.

Is Drug Testing Right For Your Company?

The Rules & Your Rights As An Employer

Most private employers are not required to conduct applicant drug testing, but many do – and for good reason. If you are currently conducting pre-employment drug testing – or your company is considering a drug testing program – you need to know the rules. Even if drug testing is allowed (as it is in many states), you can still get into trouble if you violate employee rights by testing for illegal reasons or using the wrong methods.

Drug testing applicants and/or employees is typically up to individual employers. The only employers who are required to test applicants and employees are those in transportation and other safety-sensitive industries that are regulated by federal agencies like the Department of Transportation (DOT). If your company is in the trucking industry, for example, or contracts with the Department of Defense, you may be required to test for drugs and alcohol.

Why Drug Test Companies drug test for various reasons – the most common reasons are to:

Limit Liability

A company may be held liable for injuries or damage caused by an impaired employee at work. A solid Substance Free Workplace Policy reduces the chances of substance use on the job. Workers’ compensation claims may be denied if the injured employee is found to be impaired at the time of the incident.

Increase Productivity

Employees who use drugs are three times more likely to be late to work, more than three-and-a-half times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident, and five times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Discounted Insurance Premiums

Employers in South Carolina are eligible for a 5% discount on their workers’ compensation insurance premiums and realize a reduction in unemployment insurance premiums as a result of fewer paid claims with an approved Substance Free Workplace Policy.

Reduce Theft

Whether it is company time, materials or supplies or theft from clients that the employee serves, shrinkage and theft is reduced when you don’t have addicts looking to get a quick buck for their next fix.

Already Drug Testing Applicants & Employees?

If your company is already drug testing, it is important to review your current drug policy to make sure that it not only informs employees of their expectations, but also protects the company from potential legal liability in all cases involving drug testing. Some examples of what should be covered in your policy include:

Company Policy Statement
Who Is Covered By The Policy
Prohibited Activities
Disciplinary Actions
Types of Testing Done
Situations When Testing Will Be Done
- pre-employment
- random testing
- reasonable suspicion
- post-accident
- return to work & follow-up testing

Discrimination Claims

A drug testing program can easily lead to discrimination allegations if an employer isn’t testing according to an established policy. Recently, a company had an employee tested for drugs because the supervisor heard that the employee had been at a party over the weekend and was seen smoking a joint. The employee failed the test and was terminated. He then sued the company for racial discrimination alleging that because he was Hispanic, the company targeted him in order to fire him. The company did not have the employee tested for drug in accordance with the company’s established policies and procedures and is now facing huge legal bills as a result of this claim

Disability discrimination claims might also arise from a drug testing program. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who take medications to treat or manage a disability. A drug test might reveal the use of drugs prescribed to treat a disability. If you reject an applicant or terminate an employee based on a positive test result, and the applicant was using legally prescribed drugs for a disability, you could be liable for disability discrimination. For this reason, lab testing and review of results by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) is strongly encouraged and required in some instances. A MRO will review positive test results with the applicant or employee. If they are using prescription drugs, they have an opportunity to explain and provide evidence of the medical need for the prescription.

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#1 Abused Substance On The Job