It is shocking, but it's true: contrary to the stereotype, about seventy percent of all drug and alcohol abusers hold a job. Studies show just how prevalent substance abuse is in the workplace, and how costly the consequences of this are. Drunken and drug-affected employees cause forty percent of all on the job injuries, and cost employers up to hundred billion dollars a year in lost time, health care, and workers' compensation costs. That's seven thousand dollars per each drunken and drug-affected worker annually!
It's not surprising, therefore, that drug and alcohol testing in the workplace is becoming more commonplace, especially in some safety-conscious industries. Besides those industries which are heavily regulated by the government, such as transport, nuclear energy, or military contracting, testing all employees for drug use is a requirement for those businesses that receive federal funds.
Small businesses are also recognizing the importance of a drug-free workplace: not only as a hedge against increasing costs - because of the decreased productivity, and higher workers' compensation insurance premiums - but as a mean to provide safety of their employees and customers, and avoid potential negligence lawsuits. Construction workers, sales personnel, food preparation staff, bartenders, waiters,
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Pre-employment drug testing is done as part of the hiring process, after a job offer has been made, but before the applicant is added to the payroll. Reasonable suspicion testing is done only if the employer has a valid reason to request it, such as when the appearance or behavior of a worker indicates drug and alcohol abuse. Post-incident testing is done after an incident if there is evidence suggesting that an employee responsible for the accident was under the