The Impact of Pre-Employment Drug Testing in the Workplace

Pre-employment drug tests can be used to determine whether a prospective employee has used illegal drugs or alcohol in the past. Many employers require applicants to pass these tests as a condition of employment. These tests are performed by collecting specimens from the prospective employee’s urine. The urine is then subjected to an initial screen, and a confirmation screen before results are provided to the prospective employer. These tests are also used as part of a random testing program for current employees or when the employer has a reasonable suspicion of drug use. They can help employers determine whether a prospective employee has recently used illegal drugs, alcohol, or other substances.

Pre-employment drug testing is also a great way to reduce workplace accidents and improve workplace safety. Studies show that employers spend more than $740 billion annually on preventing accidents and injuries caused by drug use. Performing random drug tests on employees can help prevent these injuries and improve employee productivity.

It Can Reduce Costs.

Pre-employment drug testing in the workplace can save employers significant amounts of money. Employers can save up to 16 percent on their overall drug-testing costs. These costs include turnover, workers’ compensation, health care, extra sick leave, and lost productivity.

However, employers should select the most appropriate drug test laboratory. Drug-test results predict critical job behaviors, and employers can select better workers based on them. Using a NIDA-certified laboratory can ensure that drug tests are accurate and reliable. Depending on the drug test performed, workplace drug testing can cost as much as $40 per person, which can add up for large companies. For instance, a company with 200 employees would pay around $8,000 for one round of testing. If this was repeated twice a year, the total cost would be $16,000. In addition to these costs, workplace drug testing is considered an invasion of employee privacy. 

It Can Create Racial Equity.

There are many debates surrounding pre-employment drug testing in the workplace. Some believe such tests exacerbate society’s drug problem, while others believe the program creates racial equity. Whatever the reason for pre-employment drug testing, there are some things you should know before you go ahead and start testing people for drugs. Studies have shown that adverse attitudes about drug testing can influence the acceptance of applications and job offers. These negative attitudes are independent of academic qualifications and grades, suggesting that the use of pre-employment drug testing can influence job applicants’ choice and satisfaction with the job they’ve been offered. While it’s possible to overweight pre-employment drug-test results, the results should be interpreted cautiously. The purpose of a drug-testing program is to increase the workforce’s productivity. This means that you should ensure the test results are predictive of a candidate’s performance on job-related criteria, such as their past employment history. This will help you decide whether or not pre-employment drug testing is right for your workplace.

It Can Be Dangerous.

While pre-employment drug testing in the workplace is necessary for employers, many myths surround the practice. Some companies believe drug use has little or no effect on the workplace, while others are more skeptical and hesitant. Studies show that drug and alcohol use contributes to an unsafe workplace and is responsible for about one out of six workplace fatalities.

Many employees resent drug testing in the workplace, but others are lenient about it, and some even welcome it. However, if an employee refuses to submit to a test, the employer can terminate them without cause. Pre-employment drug tests use a biological sample subjected to a chemical analysis to determine if an employee has used drugs in the past few hours, days, or weeks. They are designed to look for drugs with abuse potential and can be harmful to the workplace.