Company Drug Testing: 9 Benefits of Drug Testing for Businesses

If you are running a business, you may want to give your employees a drug test. Click here to learn about company drug testing and why it is beneficial.

According to industry data, 78% of companies drug test at least a portion of their workforce.

Does yours have such a practice in place?

If not, it’s time to wise up. One recent study revealed that 7 out of 10 employees have used illicit drugs while on the job. Not only does this abuse harm their personal wellbeing, but it could put the safety of your employees, clients, and partners at risk, as well.

Today, we’re sharing nine of the top benefits of company drug testing. We’ll explore why it’s important and how you can implement a program at your own office.

Ready to learn more? Let’s go.

1. Improve Brand Image

It only takes one negative incident to stain the reputation of even the most illustrious company.

That said, how would yours bounce back if there were a drug-related accident or on-site crime related to drugs?

It could take years to reverse the damage done to your brand identity and that’s assuming there’s even a brand to repair once the accident happens. From workplace violence to misuse of equipment, there are myriad issues that can occur when employees come to work high or use drugs in their office.

Why do companies drug test? It’s simple. They want to protect their good name, along with their most valuable assets.

From urine dip cards to hair drug tests, there are many different types to choose from, making it easier than ever to detect a problem as soon as it arises. The quicker you know, the quicker you can respond and mitigate any negative effects.

2. Maintain a Safe Work Environment

From transportation to warehousing, there are many industries in which employees handle heavy, dangerous equipment on a regular basis.

When someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol gets behind the wheel or beside the controls of a machine, serious injury or death can occur. Innocent bystanders and fellow employees can be endangered, as can unassuming customers or other personnel in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that drug and alcohol abuse leads to 65% of workplace accidents. Moreover, 38% to 50% of all worker’s compensation claims are due to substance abuse.

The good news? Company drug tests can help reverse this trend.

In fact, the DOL also reports that companies with the highest worker’s compensation rates dropped those rates from 14% to 6% when they implemented a drug testing program. That’s a 57% improvement that can make a world of difference.

3. Ensure Productivity

When an employee is on drugs, the signs may be subtle at first.

Yet, it won’t take long to realize that their productivity is waning. They’re missing days and showing up late in the morning. Then, when they do finally check in, they’re sloppy, spacy and slow to respond.

The National Safety Council (NSC) reveals that the U.S. loses $74 billion every year due to employees’ alcohol consumption. The causes behind the cost include:

• Absenteeism
• Lower output
• Premature retirement
• Death
• Reduced earning potential
• Job turnover

In addition, the same research shows that prescription drug misuse costs employers between $25.6 billion and $53.4 billion in lost productivity on an annual basis. To maintain your expected output and meet client demand, employee drug testing is critical.

4. Comply with Industry Regulations

In some cases, the government will dictate when companies drug test.

This applies to companies that have safety-sensitive and security-sensitive initiatives. If yours falls into this category, there are federal agencies that mandate routine drug testing, including the:

• Department of Transportation (DOT)
• Department of Defense (DOD)
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

You can visit this website to learn about specific performance objectives and compliance standards you’ll need to meet. For instance, if you’re in the transportation industry, the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act requires that you test your employees at the following junctures:

• Before employment
• When there’s reasonable cause or suspicion
• After a workplace accident
• Before an employee returns to work following a testing violation

There are also core standards around what drug and alcohol awareness training, as well as the types of drug tests to perform, which labs to use and who can qualify the tests.

5. Keep Morale High

A safe and healthy workplace is a happy one.

When your team members are confident that you’re monitoring their environment for anything or anyone that can cause them harm or damage their security, morale improves.

On the other hand, if they’re always worried about their safety, concerned about their co-workers or disappointed in waning production levels, the opposite is true. While drug abuse may be a personal burden, it has wide-reaching effects that can grow resentment, anxiety, and fear in those who come into contact with the person on a regular basis.

6. Set a Workplace Standard

When you decide to implement a drug testing program at your workplace, you set a firm tone from the onset.

You send the message that you won’t tolerate drug or alcohol use in any form, at any level, in any department. No one is exempt from examination, from your interns to your C-suite executives.

This keeps employees on their toes, holds them accountable and helps even your newest hires understand the law of the land from Day 1.

7. Manage Insurance and Healthcare Costs

The aforementioned research from the NSC reveals that when employees use drugs on the job, this abuse has a direct influence on how much companies pay in health insurance.

Consider opioid use, for instance.

Data from the NRC shows that people with opioid use disorders spend five times as many days in the hospital per year than their co-workers. They’re also 4.5 times more likely to visit the emergency room. In all, this requires employers to pay around $11,000 per year for these employees.

On average, companies pay 82% of insurance premiums for their employees and 71% of their family premiums.

From disability payments and worker’s compensation to hospital bills, these numbers add up. Some employers may also help cover treatment and rehabilitation programs, which can be costly.

8. Complement a Training Program

One way to cut down on the drug use at your office? Hold regular training sessions to educate employees on the dangers of substance abuse.

Today, there are myriad programs and courses to follow and most of the material is available online with a few clicks. You can also hire a representative from a nearby treatment clinic or hospital to speak from a real-life perspective.

A drug testing program is a natural complement to this training, as it puts the safety measures into practice.

9. Confirm Your Employee Interest

You’d go to great lengths to assure your employees that you care about their wellbeing. You implement team-building programs, support continuing education efforts and help them achieve personal and professional goals.

Establishing a drug testing schedule is one more way to show you care. Keep it drama-free and explain to your workforce that it isn’t meant to punish or embarrass anyone. Rather, it’s a small but significant measure that you can take to keep everyone as protected as possible.

Find Company Drug Testing Kits Today

Ready to restore the mental and physical fitness of your workforce? A company drug testing program can get you there.

Even if you have no drug-related concerns at the moment, it’s smart to stay ahead of any issues. Drug and alcohol abuse have no place at work, and setting this standard at the onset can help you keep a high-performing team.

Looking for a testing kit to get you started? That’s why we’re here.

We provide a range of drug tests designed to detect a host of issues at home or in the office. Contact us to learn more about our inventory and purchase one today.