Drug Testing provides numerous benefits to any company or industry. Supporters of workplace drug testing promote several safety and production values. It is critical that your organization establish and maintains a workplace drug testing program as soon as possible. When job applicants apply for a position, they may be subjected to an alcohol and drug screening. Employers may make this a requirement to apply for an employment position. It emphasizes the significance of alcohol and drug testing as part of the pre-employment process.
To guarantee that prospective personnel is qualified for the position, amphetamines, heroin, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, and opiates are commonly detected in blood testing. It demonstrates that implementing a comprehensive workplace and drug screening policy, whether pre-employment or on-the-job, helps both the business and the employee. There are numerous HR advantages to alcohol and drug testing for a company.
Employee drug testing is performed in various businesses, although it is most common in industries where employee focus is critical to safety and security. Employees who operate heavy equipment, drive automobiles in the workplace or handle dangerous products are subjected to drug testing. Companies that have an impact on other people’s health and safety owe it to the public, their investors, and the rest of their staff to promote a drug-free workplace.
Pre-Employment Drug Testing Benefits:
Some employers consider pre-employment drug testing to be an unnecessary expense. When you consider the possible expense of dealing with a drug user on your team, the benefit becomes clear. When would you discover that someone in your business is abusing illegal drugs? Prospective employees should be screened before they join the organization.
Keeps Your Business Safe
Employment lawsuits have increased by 400% in the last 20 years. Employee lawsuits, whether for wrongful termination or a workplace incident, can potentially cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. A thorough drug-testing program comprises pre-employment testing to help your organization find the right staff. It is also an effective method for reasonable articulable suspicion testing. It implies that if an employee looks to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be put in place to test them and take the necessary steps without exposing the company to legal risks.
Saves Money For Your Company
Drug testing may appear to be just another corporate expense at first look. However, an effective drug-testing program frequently pays for itself several times over. Employee retention improves through pre-employment drug testing. Employees who do not use drugs are healthier and are less likely to skip work unexpectedly.
A drug-free workplace is more productive, and a productive workplace is a more profitable firm. Several states additionally provide extra incentives to businesses that establish drug testing procedures, such as lower Workers’ Compensation insurance rates, the option to use a positive test result to reject or reduce Workers’ Compensation claim compensation, or the authority to dismiss unemployment claims.
Increased Safety Leads To Increased Productivity
Drug testing minimizes accidents, demonstrating that a workplace is safe. Employees will be more productive if they believe their bosses are doing all possible to keep everyone safe at work. Companies that implement a comprehensive drug testing program claim an improvement in overall job performance and staff morale.
Employees Drug Testing Benefits:
The single most significant benefit of workplace drug screening is that it promotes safety and health at work. It is especially true for occupations that require handling dangerous chemicals, operating heavy machinery, or driving business vehicles as seen in the oil and gas, manufacturing, and construction industry. If any of them work while under the influence of their preferred substance. The odds of a workplace accident rise when marijuana, cocaine, or alcohols are consumed. Despite the industry, however, every workplace mishap can result in huge losses, injuries, and even lives. When it occurs, your company may be exposed to liability and public relations issues.
Minimizes Potential Workplace Disputes
Drug users are more aggressive in the workplace. Those who use stimulants like ice or cocaine, in particular. By instituting a drug-testing program, the business will be able to identify and deal with drug-abusing personnel before conflicts and violence occurs.
Promotes A Healthier Workplace
Drug usage poses several health hazards. The harmful factor of drug testing at work, along with employee education on these health dangers, can considerably contribute to a healthy workplace.
Increases Staff Morale
Drug misuse in the workplace is frequently associated with problems for everyone. When workers see that a drug-testing program follows precise criteria, it shows how serious their business is about providing a safe working environment. It boosts employee morale, which is always beneficial to any firm.
Reduces Worker’s Compensation Claims
One of the most significant benefits that an alcohol and drug testing program may give to a business is the reduction of workers’ compensation claims. According to studies, 50-70% of workplace accidents occur among employees who use alcohol or drugs. Making your testing method conforms to state laws will assist you in holding employees accountable for test results, making it harder for them to pursue workers’ compensation claims.
Drug and alcohol testing should ideally be included as part of a comprehensive workplace safety policy. Employers may minimize their workers’ compensation rates by taking initiatives like this. in addition, to minimize the number of workplace accidents. As a result, the whole work environment becomes safer.
Reduces The Possibility Of Injuries And Accidents
Addiction to alcohol and drugs can result in accidents that cause injury or death. Because it impairs judgment, reaction time, and motor abilities, using drugs or alcohol at work raises the likelihood of injuries and accidents. Employers have a legal obligation to take reasonable precautions to ensure their employees’ health and safety. One method is to implement a drug and alcohol testing program.
Aids In Reducing Employee Absenteeism
Another advantage of drug testing is that it aids in reducing employee absenteeism. Employees under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are missing at a higher rate than their drug-free counterparts. They are also less productive when they arrive, as they engage in presenteeism. It implies they may show up to work but are distracted by personal issues, health challenges, or hangovers.
Alcohol and drug testing programs reduce absenteeism among employees by assisting them in overcoming drug addiction issues. As a result, their workplace productivity will increase. These programs also assist companies in detecting early indicators of drug usage among their employees. Allowing them to intervene before the problem escalates. It is crucial because it helps to avoid scenarios in which employees are absent from work for long periods to relapse or for long treatment.
Protects Your Employees
The use of alcohol or drugs is involved in a high proportion of workplace accidents. There are many employees in non-regulated businesses who might still damage their coworkers. A corporation that establishes its drug-testing program and screens applicants before hiring protects its work environment by dramatically lowering the chance of hiring a regular drug user.
Random drug testing also helps to ensure that personnel remain drug-free.
Employee drug testing is performed for the sake of workplace safety. Companies that require staff to operate machinery, drive, interact with clients, or perform manual labor demand drug testing for everyone’s safety. Staff and the general public are regularly subjected to pre-employment and random drug testing to ensure that employees are working safely.
Shows Your Care For The Employees
Drug-free professionals prefer working in a drug-free workplace. A drug-free workplace demonstrates that you care about the health and well-being of all employees, customers, and the general public. When there are good relationships in the workplace, the company employees and management work together to achieve common goals.
Improves The Image Of Your Company
When you aggressively prohibit drug usage in the workplace, you deliver the message that your company cares. You will encounter fewer candidates who test positive for various drugs after adopting pre-employment drug screening alone. Drug abusers are considerably less likely to apply if they know your organization does applicant drug testing.
Keeps Your Clients Safe
The information era has created economic prospects that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. However, the same technology that has enabled this has also made it easier than ever before to cause unintended harm. A minor mistake can result in a sensitive email being sent to the wrong customer. A careless IT employee might expose a corporation to a costly data breach.
It is now more important than ever to ensure that every employee is completely alert and cognitive. Drug or alcohol usage that goes unnoticed will not only hurt you. It will also affect your clients. Companies frequently integrate drug testing programs to demonstrate their honesty to the public. The organization’s reputation is based on the performance and professionalism of its employees. Companies promote that they have a comprehensive drug-testing program in place to earn public trust and attract customers to their products and services.
References:
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- RRP. Benefits Of Drug & Alcohol Testing. Retrieved from www.rrp.com: https://www.rrp.com.au/blog-benefits-of-drug-alcohol-testing/
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