Many businesses that require pre-employment and random drug screenings still fail to take positive drug tests seriously. One article found that a growing percentage of workers nationwide have positive drug tests, including a 30% increase in positive tests in transportation workers. If your business fails to take the results of drug screenings seriously, it could cause permanent harm.
A recent piece from Mom’s Strong detail a story that led the tragic aftermath of an on-the-job accident between one worker and another, who was operating a crane. Bryan was just trying to do his job when a crane operator at his construction site who was high on marijuana dropped steel beams on his legs. Even after the accident, when blood was all over the scene and Bryan was unable to move, the operator of the crane was apathetic and calm due to his drug usage.
After the accident, Bryan spent months learning to walk again, having costly surgeries and recovering. Even now, he will never be able to run, cannot tolerate cold weather and suffers as a result. That worker faced no serious consequences due to their marijuana usage. This is just one of the hidden stories behind positive drug tests that show what can really happen when you let your workers show up and work high.
What can your business do to protect workers like Bryan? The good news is that random drug testing
remains very effective. It sends a very powerful message to the workforce that your organization will not tolerate employees who are impaired. Oral fluid drug testing is very powerful, and it can pinpoint employees who are abusing illicit substances. Oral fluid drug testing takes about ten minutes for the collection process. Your representative handles none of the specimen. And you will get negative results within two business days.
It’s important to have firm standards in your drug test policy on what happens if an employee tests positive. Would you trust an employee who is high on any substance, including marijuana, to operate machinery or drive a company vehicle? At Randisi & Associates, Inc., we can help you ensure your workforce is free of impairment.
James P. Randisi, President of Randisi & Associates, Inc., has since 1999 been helping employers protect their clients, workforce and reputation through implementation of employment screening and drug testing programs. This post does not constitute legal advice. Randisi & Associates, Inc. is not a law firm. Always contact competent employment legal counsel. Mr. Randisi can be contacted by phone at 410.494.0232 or Email: info@randisiandassociates.com or the website at randisiandassociates.com
