HOSPITALITY
ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING FOR THE LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY SUPERSECTOR
The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies the leisure and hospitality space as a “supersector” that consists of the service-providing Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry and the Accommodation and Food Services industry.
This vibrant supersector generates hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Per Bureau of Labor Statistics data for June 2019, its workforce comprises 16.7 million employees, who put in average weekly hours of 25.9 and earn average hourly wages of $16.56.
Businesses in the leisure and hospitality space generally project an upbeat aura. Their goal, after all, is to serve people of any age and from any place in the world, who want to relax, unwind, de-stress, and have fun.
It is thus ironic that work environments in this supersector are highly affected by the alcohol and drug-abuse malady. But this is reality, and it must be addressed and stopped altogether.
Statistics: Alcohol and Drug Use, Misuse, and Abuse in the Leisure and Hospitality Supersector
- The 2015 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) suggests that between 2007 and 2013, the accommodations and food services industry had the third highest number of heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages in the US workforce, with 11.8% of its employees having at least five drinks on the same occasion.
- The same SAMHSA report suggests that between 2007 and 2013, the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry had the fourth highest number of heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages in the US workforce, with 11.5% of its employees having at least five drinks on the same occasion.
- The SAMHSA report also suggests that between 2007 and 2013, the accommodations and food services industry had the highest number of illicit-drug users in the US workforce, with 19.1% of its employees into marijuana/hashish, inhalants, hallucinogens, cocaine (including crack), heroin, or prescription drugs taken non-medically.
- Still according to the SAMHSA report, between 2007 and 2013, the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry had the second number of illicit-drug users in the US workforce, with 13.7% of its employees into marijuana/hashish, inhalants, hallucinogens, cocaine (including crack), heroin, or prescription drugs taken non-medically.
Impact of Substance Use, Misuse, and Abuse in the Leisure and Hospitality Supersector
The adverse effects of alcohol and drug consumption in the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry, as well as the Accommodation and Food Services industry, include:
- Lost revenue and opportunity due to employee tardiness and absenteeism
- Lost resources associated with sanctioning erring workers
- Increased risk of unintentional bodily injury or property damage due to the impaired judgment of employees under the influence
- Increased risk of costly workplace mistakes due to lack of focus and poor performance of employees under the influence
- Low morale level and sense of security among coworkers
- Reduced trust of clients, other stakeholders, and the community as a whole
It is also possible for the workplace to be used as a trading post for controlled and prohibited substances—endangering businesses even more.
Types of Tests That Are Appropriate for the Leisure and Hospitality Supersector
Accuracy and efficiency are key in every successful alcohol and drug screen, and these are exactly what employers seek in screening kits. And because time is of the essence, the personnel who conduct the tests want the process to be simple and swift.
The three (3) types of alcohol and drug tests are:
- Hair Follicle Alcohol and Drug Test. This can tell whether or not the prospective employee being screened has taken alcohol or drugs within 90 days of the test.
- Urine Alcohol and Drug Test. This can prove that the prospective employee being screened has imbibed alcohol or taken an illicit drug within a few days of the test.
- Saliva Alcohol and Drug Test. This is not as invasive as the Urine Drug Test, and it does not require a private room for collecting the sample. It can tell if the prospective employee being screened has used alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, or amphetamine within three days of the test. It can also detect heroin, but only within a few hours of the latest usage.
What American Screening Provides the Leisure and Hospitality Supersector
American Screening understands that businesses within the field of leisure and hospitality may not always have a substantial budget to screen their employees for alcohol and drug use, misuse, or abuse. This is why we deliver highly affordable, cost-effective, superior-quality tests straight from the manufacturer.
We understand as well that the staff assigned to perform the screens do not have the luxury of time to learn complex procedures related to alcohol and drug testing, which is why we provide safe, convenient, and easy-to-use products that give results with timeliness and accuracy.
To keep pace with trends, we also offer screening kits for synthetic drugs like K2 (also known as “spice”) and fentanyl.
Nicotine/tobacco tests and steroid tests are available as well.
All our alcohol and drug testing products conform to SAMHSA and OHSA standards.
For more information on how American Screening LLC can collaborate on making your organization and community alcohol and drug-free zones, please call our toll-free number: (866) 526-2873 or write us via [email protected]
We are here to serve the public nationwide and internationally!
