Drug Testing 101
Answers to your questions about Drugs and Drug Testing
Why should I drug test my employees?
Many employees are mandated to conduct pre and post hiring drug screening due to Federal law and regulations. For example, Department of Transportation rules require testing of covered employees such as marine employees (seamen), over the road (CDL) truck drivers, airline crews, pipeline workers, bus drivers and railroad workers. Federal executive orders also require testing of many Federal workers in safety and/or security sensitive job, e.g. FAA air traffic controllers, FBI, DEA & Secret Service employees, White House staff, etc. Many other employees must screen workers for drugs due to contractual requirements by their major contractors who demand adherence to drug free policies to deter accidents and unproductive behavior. Many other employers, large and small, have found that a drug free workplace including drug screening of applicants and employees has helped them run more efficient businesses with greater productivity, lower accident rates and decreased losses from theft, damage to equipment and goods, etc.
How do I randomly select employees for testing?
We enter your list of covered employees into our random database, identified by a special file for your company. We will routinely revise this list and make the appropriate selections, communicate with the client, and schedule the tests. Small numbers, or those spread over many geographical areas, may be sent to one of our many nationwide collection sites. At your discretion, we will also send collection technicians to your work site for convenient sample collection, handling all paperwork, documentation, testing, MRO service and reporting. This service is included in our package and you are charged only for the test.
How often should I test employees?
Our program is designed to comply with DOT and State drug testing regulations. Under Federal mandated testing, random testing of covered employees should not be done at all one time annually. Rather, it should be done no less than quarterly.
What are symptoms that might mean an employee is taking drugs?
Clients may contact us for live seminars, or detailed handouts that cover this area. The signs are many and varied; however, the key sign to look for in based on the normal behavior of the individual in question. Assess the individual employee's work performance and behavior in respect to the peculiar, contemporaneous behavior observed. Mood swings, lack of coordination, slurred speech, suspicious odors, falling asleep, or poor work habits should be evaluated for the composite effect on the normal expectations of that individual. Signs that suggest a closer look are things such as: tardiness frequent absenteeism, poor work quality or quantity, disciplinary problems, etc.
What are the warning signs that an employee might be an alcoholic?
Frequent absenteeism from work, chronic hangovers, making excuses for drinking, alcohol on his/her breath or impaired judgment. Frequent absences from assigned areas. Gradual deterioration in work quantity/quality. Involved in work accidents or incidents where employees were injured or property or equipment was damaged. For a detailed handout on The Signs of Alcoholism and a detailed checklist for individuals to evaluate their potential alcohol problem, just email or call us.
If there is a question you have which was not answered above, please email us at customer_assistance@globalsafety.net