subject: Employer Drug Tests - Getting Simple Answers From Your Employees [print this page] As an employer, drug tests are a big factor in managing your team. Because the risks of an employee injuring him or herself or another person are so big, it is critical for many businesses to put into place a random screening process. Depending on the laws within your state, you have every right to request this type of testing. In fact, some companies are now doing this randomly for everyone from the top officials in the organization down to the entry-level individuals. And, it is not just big corporations doing it. Even small businesses benefit from having this done.
What's the Benefit?
The benefits of having employees conduct drug tests are numerous. One of them is to simply provide protection for those who encounter that individual. Should something happen to the individual while he or she is operating machinery, for example, it could put other people at risk.
Another benefit comes from the way that these simple screenings can reduce your costs. The use of screenings can help to reduce your liability costs in two ways. First, most insurance providers will mandate these screenings to require a lower insurance premium. In addition, if employees are clean and sober, they are less likely to be involved in accidents on the job. This can drastically reduce workers compensation claims and thus reduce your costs in that area, too.
Getting Them Done Easily
Still, you may not think you have time to hire a company to come in to handle this type of testing. You do not have to do that. In fact, most employers are using area clinics to provide these types of screenings. You may even be able to negotiate a lower rate for the process. Some companies will require employees to pay for the costs related to such screenings while others cover the costs themselves.
Ultimately, there are a few important things to look for when selecting an organization like this. First, they need to be trustworthy and open with you. They need to understand that you will be requiring regular screenings. In addition, there is also the requirement that the facility needs to be local to your organization. You want to make the process as simple as possible. Even if you are just requiring employees to get these tests on their own time, you still need to know there is a local facility to provide accurate results.
Although you want to believe this is not a problem in your place of business, you may need to take steps like this to get insurance protection. Drug tests are simple to do and the results are discrete. Yet, they are simply too important to avoid getting.
