Typically, if the business is a safety-sensitive type of workplace, such as aviation, health facility, or mass transportation, the law requires the employees and workplace to be drug-free. And if the business does not fall on these criteria, it’s up to the small business owners if they choose to test their employees or not.
If the owner of a small business chooses to require employees to go through a drug test, they need to work with small business drug testing companies to get the desired results. But before owners of small businesses can implement their drug testing requirements, they should abide by specific guidelines.
Small businesses should have a solid and clear drug testing policy
Based on statistics, one out of ten workers in a small business could be a heavy drinker or illicit drug user, and of these, one in six is both. So, corporate drug screening is an excellent idea if the business owner wants to be sure that their potential new hires and employees are free from illegal substances. However, consistency and fairness are crucial in implementing a drug testing policy. It is vital to create a clear drug testing policy to avoid confusion and discrimination among your employees.
Drug testing at work is not always legal
Although random drug testing could be the most accurate way to determine if the workplace is drug-free, some state laws don’t allow you to do it without a valid reason. It is also essential to have enough evidence when implementing random testing to avoid a discrimination lawsuit. Not all states allow random corporate drug screening, so be familiar with your state law before conducting drug testing. Typically, drug testing is permitted under certain conditions, such as pre-employment screening, after an accident, and suspicion of use
Drug testing after work injuries should be clearly stated
As a business owner, conducting a drug test after an accident could free you from any liability if the employee is found to be positive for illegal drugs. However, this could be tricky since there should be a written drug testing policy that exists before any accident or injury takes place. It is also important to note that the drug test should be conducted immediately after the accident. Moreover, medical attention should be given to all injured employees regardless of suspicion of drug abuse.
Medical Marijuana is not legal in all states in the US
The use of marijuana can be a tricky subject for employers since debates about it have created different opinions in each state. As a result, many states loosen marijuana restrictions to cater to special medical treatment. But it’s still the business owner’s prerogative whether they want to be a weed-friendly workplace or not.
Offer a drug rehabilitation program
When an employee turns out to be positive for drug abuse, it would be easy to terminate the person. However, the business owner could face legal sanctions for hasty decisions like that. That’s why most drug policies of companies come with a rehabilitation program to help the troubled employee instead of terminating their services. Drug testing the employees doesn’t end there. When certain employees test positive for prohibited drugs, you are expected to offer counseling and treatment for the welfare of the employee. This could boost morale among your employees, especially if they see it as a show of concern for them.