Advantages of Drug Testing at Workplace

Two main reasons for conducting drug testing at workplace are, one because of popularity with its benefits and other one is, in United States, strict guidelines were passed to provide a safe work environment for the employees. This could be the reasons why employers are conducting drug testing at workplace.

Most of the organizations have already implemented drug testing programs at their workplace. Business' owners are enjoying with its benefits like drug-free working environment, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, decreased insurance claims, etc. Mainly two types of employment drug testing are conducted at workplace:

• Pre-employment drug testing: This type of testing is done on those applicants who are offered the job. Therefore, this helps the employer in preventing hiring drug-abused job applicants.

• Post-employment drug testing: This type of drug testing is done on the employees of the organization based on random check-up, periodic testing, suspicion, post-accident, etc. This helps the employer to ensure the presence or absence of drug abusers in the organization.

In this article, we will discuss about the advantages of conducting drug testing at workplace.

• Reduces absenteeism and tardiness: In general, drug abusers frequently fall sick or get ill and they will be lazy in doing work. That's the reason, you can notify the behavior of drug abuser – spending time on related activities, taking long lunch breaks, coming late to office and going early, arguing with other co-workers, frequently gets absent to the work, etc. This will effect the company's productivity.

By implementing drug testing programs in organization – helps the employer to find the drug abusers and take the necessary actions based on drug testing policies – oral warning or termination. This will discourage employees in taking drugs. Therefore, it reduces absenteeism and tardiness.

• Ensures employee safety: Safety at workplace is often the main reason to conduct drug testing. Because some jobs are very dangerous to perform – operating heavy machinery, driving, working with sharp objects, working over a hot stove, etc. So, make sure to do drug testing before such employees goes to work. This helps in protecting them as well as other employees of the organization.

• Avoiding the problem down the road: Pre-employment drug testing helps the employer to get the potential hires. Upfront paying for drug testing saves the employer money, time and efforts – instead of wasting time to re-hire or compensation to the injured drug abuser.

• Public relations: The reputation of the organization rely on its employees, performance and professionalism in operating the business. Some of the organizations advertise about the drug testing program in their organization to gain public trust and confidence.