Drug testing in the workplace remains a controversial topic even though it’s been in existence for years now.
Employees insist that drug testing violates their right to privacy, whereas employers assert that they have the right to ensure workplace safety by enforcing a drug testing policy.
Workplace drug testing has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Knowing these can help both employees and employers understand the importance of drug testing in the workplace.
Drug testing in the workplace ensures workplace health and safety
This is perhaps the biggest advantage of workplace drug testing. Any employee who is under the influence of drugs in the workplace poses a safety risk to themselves and to other employees.
This is especially true in high risk industries that involve heavy machinery, driving vehicles, or handling hazardous chemicals.
The International Labour Organisation estimates that 20 to 25 per cent of all occupational injuries are a result of alcohol and other drug use.
A study conducted for the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) estimated alcohol use to be responsible for five per cent of all workplace deaths and up to 11 per cent of non-fatal injuries.
Enforcing a drug testing policy in the workplace can help to ensure workplace safety by preventing employees who are under the influence from attending work and becoming a hazard.
A workplace drug testing policy may be required if a company suspects a drug or alcohol problem.
Addressing drug or alcohol use in the workplace quickly will be imperative to ensure that the company meets its duty of care obligations under the OHS Act to “provide a working environment that is without risk to the health and safety of its workers.”
Workplace drug testing can boost productivity and employee morale
Research by the NCETA estimates that drug and alcohol use contributes to $5.2 billion in lost productivity and $3 billion is absenteeism annually, whereas the Australian Drug Foundation estimates the annual cost of absenteeism alone due to alcohol at up to $1.2 billion.
Introducing a new alcohol and drug testing policy in the workplace can be advantageous in helping to prevent absenteeism and other issues associated with drug and alcohol use in the workplace.
This can help to boost employee productivity and morale. Companies that conduct pre-employment drug testing can also ensure that candidates are suitable for the role and are aware of the workplace’s drug and alcohol tolerance, policies, and strict standards when it comes to safety.
Drug testing in the workplace must be justified
Workplace drug testing is required in certain safety critical industries such as construction, road and rail transport, aviation and mining.
Managing alcohol and drugs in the workplace requires more than simply banning it from the workplace or stating a zero tolerance approach.
The policy should be effective and well communicated to proactively address alcohol and drug problems in the workplace.
A business without a clear and comprehensive policy leaves itself open to unnecessary risk.
A disadvantage of implementing a workplace drug testing policy is that it can be expensive, especially for companies requiring a large number of drug testing kits.
Fortunately, with the use of experienced third party sampling companies and convenient alcohol and drug testing solution packs, employers can opt for comprehensive yet cost-effective ways to conduct drug testing in the workplace.
The most important thing to know about drug testing is that it needs to be justified and should be accompanied by other measures that will make up a broader, rehabilitation-focused strategy.