Why is Drug Testing Important in the Workplace?
The aging workforce is often suffering from unhealthy lifestyles which affect the productivity of workers. This offers a new challenge for employers to overcome difficulties regarding health and safety. It is the reason why many employers today perform drug testing on their employees.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) reports 70% of the 14.8 million Americans who abuse drugs are employed. More than 74% of all current illegal drug users are employed and cause up to 40% of industrial fatalities in the US according to the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance (NDWA). These numbers are very alarming.
Workplace drug testing is a powerful risk mitigation tool that provides comprehensive organizational benefits. It helps employers not just promote a safer, more productive workplace, but it also helps decrease employee turnover and absenteeism as well as lower incidence rates.
Benefits of Drug Testing in The Workplace
All employers want to maintain a productive and safe environment for their workers. Many companies and organizations have implemented workplace drug testing programs to determine which employees are using illegal substances. This is important as employees who come to work under the influence of illegal drugs can put themselves and others’ safety at risk. Here are some of the benefits of workplace drug testing:
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Drug Testing Creates a Safe Work Environment
One of the top priorities of employers is to have a safe working environment wherein their employees can do their work effectively and be productive. However, people who go to work under the influence of drugs may cause accidents in the workplace. Furthermore, they are likely to behave in violent ways that can hurt others.
People who use illegal drugs are also more prone to steal money or commit fraud. This means that fellow employees and the company itself could fall victim to this. Fifty percent (50%) of workplace accidents and up to 40% of employee theft is caused by drug abuse according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Drug testing is one way to lessen the risk of theft and other fraudulent acts against other employees and the company.-
Reduce Potential Legal Liability
When accidents happen at work, the company may have to face some legal complications especially if it is caused by another employee. The failure of the employer to maintain a safe working environment may result in lawsuits and no employer wants that. To reduce the potential liability of employers, it is important for them to conduct drug testing. Moreover, it can help minimize accidents which would reduce the potential legal liability of employers.
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Drug Testing Can Reduce Employee Turnover
Employees who use illegal drugs are often subject to termination. This means that the company would have to hire new employees as a replacement. In addition, this would cost the company as they would have to spend money on recruiting, hiring, and training new people. Terminating an employee may also affect the productivity of other employees which could also affect the company’s bottom line. To put it simply, it would cost the business money to have people get terminated. However, this can be reduced by workplace drug testing. It can help companies find and retain reliable employees and reduce turnover.
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Drug Testing Can Help Employees Get Treatment
There are some employers who don’t immediately terminate their employees. In fact, they help their employees get better and have treatment. Through workplace drug testing, employers can identify which workers have substance abuse problems and provide them the help that they need. There are even some companies that extend help for the families of their workers with drug problems.
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Increase the Productivity of Employees
Employees who have drug problems are more likely to be absent. They might also get preoccupied at work which would affect their attention span and concentration. All these factors can lead to inconsistent work quality, lack of focus, and carelessness. If you look at the big picture, this would also affect the quality of their output. By establishing a drug-free workplace, employers can help their employees be at the top of their game so they can be the best employees that they can be.
Is Drug Testing Mandatory in the Workplace?
The drug tests ensure the safety and security of the office environment. It helps in avoiding work problems in terms of the quality of work done by an employee. It also helps in safeguarding the health and safety of all of the employees. Additionally, it also improves the morale and motivation of the overall staff. Drug-related accidents will be avoiding, assuring a great company image. Aside from that, it helps in the drug-free workplace program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Takeaway
It is important for employers to establish a safe environment for their employees. This is the reason why it is important to implement workplace drug testing programs to protect them from any harm. Should you have any questions about workplace safety, you can visit Gurmu OccMed Svs. They use an independent balanced approach to understand injured workers and their employers and have all the essential qualifications for all their medical consultations. Schedule a meeting with Dr. Gurmu and learn more.
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