In today’s workplaces, many employers in transportation, healthcare, government, and more require pre-employment and routine drug testing. With recreational drug use on the rise, more employers are recognizing the many benefits that a drug-free environment provide for workplace safety and productivity. Here is more about drug testing policies and procedures in the workplace.
Which Employers Require Drug-Testing?
Many private companies, along with federal, state, and local employers, such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security, require drug testing. It is a condition of beginning, maintaining, or returning to employment. In general, a drug-free workplace helps ensure a more efficient, productive, and safe work environment.
A drug-free workplace increases company revenues and improves wages and for its workers. It also protects businesses from lawsuits caused by employee negligence, recklessness, and accidents related to drug and alcohol use.
Both private and governmental workplaces may require their workers to undergo one-time or periodic drug tests. These tests may be given:
- Before an offer of employment
- Before beginning employment
- As a follow-up to a documented workplace incident
- At random
Testing may be a matter of company policy, or it may be required by state or federal law.
Employers have the right to establish and enforce drug-free workplace policies. However, these policies must comply with state and federal laws. This includes informing employees of the company’s drug testing policies and procedures as well as the consequences for violating policies.
Employers also have the option of providing health-related resources for employees struggling with substance use issues. They may also educate employees on the risks of drug use and the potential impacts on job performance and retention.
How Is Employee Drug Testing Done?
Drug tests can be conducted in various ways, including collecting samples of urine, blood, saliva, hair, or sweat. These methods detect the presence of a variety of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and others.
Most often, employers choose to urine test. Urine testing is widely accessible, easily performed and very cost-effective.
Before conducting drug tests on employees, employers must provide clearly written policies that outline when and how testing will be conducted. The policies should also include information on which drugs will be tested for and under what circumstances, such as pre-employment screening, random testing, or reasonable suspicion. Employers must also ensure that the testing process is fair and absolutely consistent for each and every worker.
What Are the Most Common Types of Drug Testing?
The most common types of drug tests are urine, blood saliva and hair follicle tests.
Urine testing is the most commonly used method for detecting recent drug use. It reveals a variety of drugs including marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids and more.
Urine samples are collected in private clinic areas and securely sent for lab analysis. This type of drug test is relatively inexpensive and provides quick, accurate results.
Blood, hair, and saliva samples may also be used for drug testing. However, they are used less frequently than urine testing due to their higher costs and longer detection window.
For instance, blood tests detect drugs in the system within a few hours of use. However, hair tests have a detection window of up to 90 days.
What Drugs Can Be Detected?
Drug tests can detect a wide range of substances. Some tests may be able to identify specific types of drugs within certain categories, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in cannabis. Employers must inform their workers about which substances will be tested and under what circumstances.
Best Occupational Medicine Clinic Near Me
Drug testing for both private and governmental employees can often be done at an occupational medicine clinic. In fact, our team at Cardinal Urgent Care in King, NC, provide DOT, non-DOT, and rapid point of care drug testing Wednesdays through Saturdays. We accept walk-ins, or you may arrange an appointment here.
Our lead healthcare provider is Dr. Samir Patel. He and his team provide the occupational health services necessary for employees to begin work or return to work in a healthy and safe manner. We understand local, state, and federal labor regulations and provide accurate test result reports for all of our drug testing services.
If you are a worker or employer, contact us to learn more about how Cardinal Urgent Care can be your go-to occupational medicine clinic. You may call our caring and skilled team at (336) 983-9111, or visit our clinic in
person. We are open seven days a week for your convenience. Whether you want help with drug testing, injury care, physical examinations, vaccines, or Workers’ Compensation claims, we are here to help.
