A recent study shows that most illicit drug users and heavy alcohol users are employed. That means they’re possibly working for you. If you are not testing, you’re likely an “employer of choice” for all the wrong reasons.
Ah, the joys of drug testing. Nothing quite like trying to ferret out users of the Whizzinator (the popular drug-test-defeating device that delivers heated synthetic urine). It’s no surprise that many HR managers would rather not deal with drug and alcohol issues. After all, you’ve got productivity issues to deal with, right?
But think about this: Maybe drugs and alcohol are your productivity issue.
According to a study completed by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), drug and alcohol users really drag a business down.
“Employees who use drugs miss work more often, are less healthy, and are more prone to harming themselves and others in the workplace,” the study reports. Drug-using employees are also more likely to change jobs often … not a problem, unless you’re their next employer in line.
Some key facts:
- Nearly twice as many illicit drug users skip one or more days of work each month compared with workers who do not abuse drugs.
- Drug users are also far more likely to report missing two or more workdays in the past month due to illness or injury, compared with workers who do not abuse drugs.
Also, although the study didn’t measure it, it’s not much of a stretch to guess that the drug users’ work product is probably less than stellar even when they do show up.
Set up a drug-testing program that is legal, workable, and effective. Attend a special BLR November 29 audio conference to find out how. Can’t attend? Pre-order the CD. Read More
You say you like the company of abusers? Well, there’s a surefire way to attract them: Don’t test! The study reports that current drug users were far more likely to work for employers that did not conduct drug or alcohol testing programs than those who do. Only about 30 percent of the respondents reported working for employers that conduct random drug tests. Consequently, SAMSHA encourages all employers to adopt drug testing programs.
But that’s not as easy as it sounds. Who will you test? Under what circumstances? Random? On suspicion? Which drugs are illegal? Who does the testing? What kind of test? What action will you take if someone tests positive? Retest? Terminate? Refer to your EAP?
Done wrong, workplace drug and alcohol testing can generate more problems than it solves. Learn to do it right at BLR’s November 29 audio conference. Or pre-order the CD if you can’t attend. Either way, your satisfaction is assured. Click for info.
The bottom line is that drug testing is daunting. Most employers need professional help to get started. We’ve got it with an all-new audio conference that we’ll brief you on in tomorrow’s Advisor.
Click here for info on the upcoming audio conference
Drugs Testing 101
Learn to deal with HR’s most insidious challenge—legally and effectively. Attend BLR’s November 29 “must-hear” audio conference: Keep Drugs and Alcohol Our of Your Workplace. Train your whole staff for one fee. Satisfaction assured. Can’t attend? Order the CD! Read more