Drug testing at work is commonplace in many businesses. But even with all of its history, the practice is still debatable today. Many managers in companies are left questioning their heads when they weigh the benefits and drawbacks of drug testing employees at work since there are differing views on how to strike the right proportion between the confidentiality of staff members and the security of the workplace.
While there are many advantages to workplace drug testing, you ought to become aware of a few potential drawbacks before proceeding. What you should know is as follows. Pre-employment health screening is an essential procedure that guarantees potential hires fulfil the physical requirements and standards necessary to qualify for possible positions within the company.”
Types of Drug Evaluation
Various techniques are employed to obtain a sample from the subject of the test, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the drug test or its purpose.
Test of Urine
The most commonly prescribed medication test is still urine testing. Testing specimens may have been altered to yield misleading positive drug test results, which is the biggest drawback of testing for drugs if they are not observed by a specialist.
Test of the Saliva
When there is an adequate suspicion, such as when testing for illegal substances after a motor vehicle crash, a saliva test—also referred to as a fluid in the mouth test—is usually employed. This is precisely what drug usage over the last 48 hours is the only thing that saliva testing can detect.
Test Of Hair
A hair test is the third technique for drug testing. In workplaces where examinations for drugs are routinely programmed, hair screening is frequently used. In addition to being the priciest type of drug test, it takes five to ten days after drug usage for the substance to show up in the hair.
Drawbacks to Drug Testing
There are several drawbacks to workplace drug testing, even though it is a worthwhile practice with numerous special benefits. Consider the following if your organization is thinking of introducing workplace drug testing.
- It incurs additional costs. The cost to the business of increased drug testing at work is one of the most significant and most evident drawbacks. Screening for drugs is not free, and the cost might be significant contingent upon the size of your company. Approximately £40 per person may be spent, depending on the plan. Even though it might not seem like much, if you’re working with a large staff, it can quickly mount up.
- Although the use of marijuana, whether for therapeutic or recreational reasons, is allowed in many governments, it is still prohibited federally. Employers throughout the aforementioned states may have employees who consume marijuana within statewide legal limits, but their usage remains illegal federally. This complicates matters. If certain workers or prospective workers receive different treatment than other individuals who have also tested positive for marijuana due to their residency in one of the aforementioned states, it might further complicate matters. If it is an illegal substance that is prescribed as part of the treatment of a handicap and is also used to disqualify someone from job opportunities, there may be more issues.
- It infringes on the privacy of the workers. The fact that workplace drug testing infringes on the confidentiality of workers is a more contentious drawback. Many workers believe that screening for drugs at work violates their constitutional entitlement to privacy and is intrusive. The typical workforce now feels a great deal of animosity towards drug testing as a result. Morale and output among staff members have declined in many businesses that have made workplace drug testing mandatory. Lowering the income of the company. Although this isn’t necessarily the case, it’s important to consider when carrying out any drug test protocol.
- Drug testing programmes are expensive, yet the company pays for them in full. It might not yield a significant return on your investment and could wind up spending more to run than it does to save. This is particularly relevant if there are methods to get around the system, as this could lower the test’s accuracy. In addition, there are legal fees to consider if workers believe that the substance abuse policy is unjust in any manner or leads to an unjust dismissal. (Costs will still need to be considered even in the unlikely circumstance that the employer’s position prevails.)
- Adherence to all relevant legal requirements is crucial when instituting a drug testing policy. While this isn’t a reason to do otherwise, it is a drawback as there will be an additional set of state-specific legal regulations that you must be aware of and abide by. This exposes the company to criticism and maybe legal action from staff members who believe they are receiving unfair treatment for whatever reason.
Final Words
Companies can take different approaches to lessen these negative effects. For example, they can establish drug regulations the fact that prioritise support and rehabilitation over punitive measures, guarantee the procedure for testing open communication, and view testing for drugs as a component of a larger strategy for place of employment safety and wellbeing. Visit techkemp for more interesting articles.
