Today, drug testing in the workplace has become a common practice. It is estimated that there were more than 64,000 drug overdose deaths in 2016; the death rate in the USA is now five times higher than it was in 1999 means the USA is suffering silently from a horrible drug epidemic. Implementing a drug testing policy is not at the top of their things-to-do list as it adds extra cost.
However, they must realize that one of the most significant benefits is that most states discount their workers’ compensation insurance. This makes drug-testing very important. It is always better to get your drug testing done in reliable labs, such as same day testing Ballston.
Here, we explore some of the fantastic facts about drug testing that you must not be aware of and how it can help keep the health and safety of every worker.
Drug Testing Can Save Billions Annually
For any business to succeed, you require three factors, namely, company profits, workplace safety, and employee productivity. These elements have a common characteristic: they cannot reach their full potential when one or more employees engage in drug use, whether at home or in the workplace. So, formulating and implementing a drug testing policy to become a drug and alcohol-free workplace is critical in establishing a path to success.
The Department of Justice USA research found that American businesses can save $140 billion a year with a drug testing policy. By maintaining a drug-free work environment, employers can save money by preventing accidents often caused by impaired workers.
Drug Use Is Much More Prevalent
According to various diagnostics companies, in 2016, 4.2% of all urine tests taken in the workplace were tested positive, the highest rate since the 4.5% positive score achieved in 2004. The usage of cocaine shot up 12% from 2015, while there was a 64% increase in the use of methamphetamine between 2012 to 2016. The positive oral drug tests for marijuana increased to 8.9% in 2016. These numbers might surprise you, but the fact is that regular drug users are very apt to hide the side effects of their drugs. Statistically speaking, every company has one or more employees using drugs, but you’ll never be able to identify these employees if you don’t have a regular drug testing policy.
Employee Drug Use Is A Significant Safety Issue
As per the U.S. Department of Justice, over half of all workplace accidents are caused by employee drug use. Imagine a severe or even fatal accident happening at your office premises and then discovering that it was due to illicit drug use. Businesses can prevent illegal drug use at work by implementing a drug testing policy. Employees on drugs are five times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim, costing businesses unnecessary money. In the United States, employers lose roughly $100 billion yearly to workers’ compensation costs, health care, accidents, and lost productivity due to employee drug use. This is consistent with studies that indicate substance abuse is prevalent in the workplace and highly costly to employers.
Employee Drug Use Can Cause Serious Turnover Issues
The companies can expect a 30% higher turnover rate when comparing drug-using employees to sober employees. It costs money, effort, and time to replace these employees since the companies have to pay for recruiting new candidates, coordinating and conducting interviews, and onboarding the new employees. Additionally, the companies lose their productivity as they need to train new employees.
Drug Testing Leads To A Happier Workplace
Everyone wants to come to work and feel safe and happy. However, it becomes problematic when a colleague engages in drug use. Employees who are not on drugs feel that drug-using employees compromise their safety. They can get frustrated if their co-workers lack focus due to drug use.
When you create a drug-free workplace, you can ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward and works together towards a common goal. Employers with drug-testing programs usually implement pre-employment testing for successful job applicants and then have post-accident testing, random or annual testing, and reasonable suspicion testing for people already on their roster of workers.
Drug Testing Can Decrease The Drug Usage
When employees realize that random drug testing is a reality at their company and the consequences are real, they are less likely to engage in drug use at any time. Therefore, implementing a solid drug testing policy helps identify employee drug usage and can also stop it altogether. You’ll be not only protecting your company but also giving back to the community by reducing cases of drug use.
The company can refuse to hire prospective job applicants if they fail the drug test. They may reserve the right to fire the employee. They may demote and deny benefits to existing workers who fail a drug test or refuse to take it. Employers can also help employees who fail drug tests by signing them up for rehabilitation and recovery programs.
Bottom Line
Drug testing protects both the business and its employees. For the company, drug testing may seem like an additional cost. However, the expenses and risks of not having a drug-testing policy are much higher than drug testing costs. When employees are aware that their employers can test them at any time at random, the cost of their substance abuse on the company decreases. Businesses may also hire better quality employees due to their drug testing policies.
