Why You Should Conduct Pre-Employment Drug Tests

As an employer, you take many precautions to ensure safety in the workplace. You encourage the use of protective gear when working with machinery, and you ask people to stay home when they’re sick to prevent the spread of germs.

For certain jobs, you might want to take yet another step to ensure a safe workplace by requiring pre-employment drug screening of new hires.

Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Pre-Employment Drug Screening?

A pre-employment drug test can show whether new hires abuse illegal substances or prescription medication. Passing a drug screen is in many cases a requirement for employment. In some cases, employees may also be required to pass a drug test before returning to work after an accident. Traditionally, most drug screens test for the following substances. 

• THC (found in marijuana and cannabis)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamines
• Opiates (such as opium and heroin)

Most states allow pre-employment drug tests, and may even require them for certain types of positions.

Why Should Employers Conduct Pre-Employment Drug Screening?

If you have a policy of conducting pre-employment drug screening, and this is clearly stated on any application materials, it can deter drug users from even applying to your company in the first place, which saves you the hassle of dealing with this problem later on. It’s also a good tool to protect your company’s assets, as well as the safety of other employees, from the dangers and costs of substance abuse in the workplace.

What Are The Different Types of Pre-Employment Drug Tests?

There are several different types of drug tests, all of which have pros and cons. Urine tests are the most common; however, their window of time for detecting substance abuse is comparatively short, only five to ten days. Hair tests can detect illicit substances for up to three months, and blood tests will reveal the presence of any substance currently in the applicant’s blood. Saliva and breath alcohol tests are also possibilities.

Who Should Perform a Pre-Employment Drug Test?

Generally, any occupational health office should be able to conduct pre-employment drug screenings for you. Urgent care facilities are also able to do this, but they are limited in their knowledge and expertise regarding workplace drug use.

Here at Veriswift, we are knowledgeable about pre-employment drug screenings. We have the expertise you need to develop and implement a comprehensive drug testing program for your company. We are able to customize your drug testing program.  For instance, if marijuana use is legal in your state, we can exclude those results from the screen. With over 4000 collection locations, there’s sure to be at least one in your local area.

What Are the Legal Ramifications?

For the most part, states regulate the legality of pre-employment drug tests. The exception would be federally-regulated industries such as transportation (DOT), nuclear energy, and the military.

Most states do require employers to give written notice to applicants that they will be required to pass a drug test.

To avoid the potential for discrimination suits, it’s a good idea to have the same requirements for all applicants. This way there is no perception of discrimination against certain groups.

A pre-employment drug screen can be an essential piece of your workplace safety plan. And with the help of Veriswift, they’re easy to implement.