It can fly under the radar but drug testing is a crucial part of running a successful business. Keeping drugs out of the workplace is imperative to maintain steady productivity. If left unchecked, drug abuse on the job sooner or later will cost you money and possibly even damage your company’s reputation.
Most businesses, large and small, are using some sort of pre-employment drug testing. However, passing these tests won’t guarantee an individual will be “clean” after they are hired. This is why reasonable suspicion drug testing needs to be something every employer keeps their eye on.
What Is Reasonable Suspicion?
This is the big question that we want to address in our blog today. It can certainly be a tricky subject in the workplace because nobody wants to be singled out for suspected drug use. It’s important for employers to have an understanding of what to look for but also how to handle this situation as a whole.
What To Look For
Reasonable suspicion for eliciting a drug test needs to be backed up evidence rather than a gut feeling. As an employer you should be watching out for suspicious physical and behavioral signs that might indicate drug use. Dilated/bloodshot eyes, lack of focus, poor performance, attendance issues, and erratic mood swings are a few indicators that point to drug use. However, it’s important for employers not to jump the gun and make accusations based on these results alone. If these signs become frequent and start affecting the day-to-day of your company, you are well within your right to ask for a drug test.
What To Do
If you or a supervisor notices any of this unusual behavior, it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion. Cross checking your observations with other supervisors or human resources staff can help avoid the possibility of your actions appearing discriminatory. As far as taking action goes, you should follow all the protocols in your drug-free workplace policy that your employees agreed to when hired. You should inform the employee in private that you’ve decided to have them tested and then set it up with your drug screening company.
Where To Go
Once you’ve reached the point of conducting a reasonable suspicion drug test, ESS can step in and take it from there. We offer all types of screening including hair follicle drug tests and urinalysis testing. Though we’re an employment screening service based out of Buffalo NY, we handle drug screen and background checks for companies all around the U.S.
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