A small business is already a hefty responsibility. Ensuring that your employees perform at peak capacity will help day-to-day operations run smoothly. You can check your applicants’ references and call them back for additional interviews, but a drug test can be another indicator of performance quality. Here’s what small businesses should know about drug testing; implementing testing can greatly benefit your business.
Look up Your State’s Regulations
Where is your business located? Depending on your state, regulation of drug testing may be open, voluntary, or mandatory. Open states have no regulations regarding workplace drug and alcohol testing. Voluntary states may offer a worker’s compensation discount to employees who voluntarily undergo testing. Mandatory states have stricter regulations regarding who you can test. If the job poses a significant safety risk (for example, if the employee operates vehicles or heavy machinery) or if the employee has recently completed a rehab program, you are legally allowed to mandate a drug test.
Test One, Test All
If you plan to test one or two employees, plan to test all of them. Picking and choosing who you test can create unrest and hard feelings in the workplace. Don’t let any preconceived notions cloud your thinking when you make these decisions. You can’t tell simply by looking at someone whether or not they use drugs.
Know What To Test For
There is a wide variety of drug screening kits on the market. American Screening Corp offers high-quality testing kits for hair, saliva, and urine. Most panels will test for THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis), amphetamines, and cocaine. If you decide to test for additional substances, like opioids or benzodiazepines, exercise caution. Your applicant may have a valid prescription for those drugs.
Erase the Stigma
Drug use, abuse, or addiction is not a moral failing or a stain on an employee’s character. If an employee doesn’t pass a drug test, you have the option to terminate them—or you could take the opportunity to provide help. Addiction is a difficult and highly stigmatized disease. What rehabilitation programs are available in your area? Keep that information handy and be open about offering that option to your employees. If they indicate that they need help, you can be that resource for them.
You must account for many factors when you create your business’s drug and alcohol policy. If you decide to require drug testing for your employees, American Screening corp is in your corner with a plethora of testing kits and methods. These are just a few things small businesses should know about drug testing; ensure you make the most prudent decision for your company.
