Workplace Drug Testing: Policy, Safety, and HR Practices

Introduction

People engage in a wide range of recreational activities, and some of these activities involve the use of alcohol or drugs. While certain levels of alcohol and drug use are permitted under state and federal law, many substances remain prohibited. Because most drugs are still illegal, it is important for businesses to monitor potential drug use among their employees. A company's success depends on having a healthy, functional workforce. For this reason, drug testing should be implemented at least annually for most jobs.

Reasons Companies Should Drug Test Employees

Companies must perform drug testing on their employees for several reasons. The first is prevention. Drug users often incur higher medical expenses than employees who do not use drugs. By identifying a potential drug user, a company can take the steps necessary to remove that employee and avoid unnecessary medical costs.

The second reason is deterrence. When employees apply to a company that conducts drug testing, most will either refrain from drug use while employed or choose to work elsewhere. Most businesses do not want to deal with employees who have substance abuse issues. A well-known example of the professional consequences of a failed drug test is the case of Maria Sharapova, whose longtime sponsor "said it was suspending its relationship with the tennis star while the investigation continues" (Knowlton, 2016).

The third reason is the opportunity to rehabilitate employees. As Davies, Francis, and Jupp (2016) note, "the benefits of drug testing are assumed to reside in such features as its ability to clearly identify drug users and remove them from the workplace by dismissal or discipline (punitive measures) or treatment (rehabilitation measures)" (p. 197). Some employees are valuable enough to a business that they may be given an opportunity for rehabilitation rather than dismissal. Drug testing can identify the problem early and help connect the person with appropriate support.

Drug Testing and Workplace Safety

Drug testing can also promote efficiency and safety within the workplace. An employee struggling with substance abuse may become disgruntled, steal from the workplace, or become less productive over time. Although some drugs, such as marijuana, have proven effective in treating a range of medical conditions, some individuals may require consistent use to feel functioning normally. This ongoing dependence can lead to health problems associated with long-term marijuana use, including paranoia, depression, and anxiety — particularly during periods without access to the substance (NIH, 2017).

Conclusion

Employees do not have an absolute right to privacy with respect to drug use in the workplace. When an individual chooses to work for a business that conducts drug testing, that policy exists because the employer seeks to eliminate behaviors that undermine the health and functioning of the organization. Companies generate profit through productive employees, and drug abuse directly diminishes that productivity. For these reasons, drug testing — supported by clear HR policies on inspection and confidentiality — represents a reasonable and necessary practice for most employers.

References

Davies, P., Francis, P., & Jupp, V. (2016). Invisible crimes: Their victims and their regulation. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Knowlton, E. (2016, May 7). Maria Sharapova failed drug test at Australian Open. Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/maria-sharapova-meldonium-failed-drug-test-australian-open-2016-3

NIH. (2017). DrugFacts: Marijuana. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana