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Random Drug Testing
Workplace Random Drug Testing: Is it worth the costs?
When you add up the hidden costs of hiring an employee with a substance abuse problem (increased absenteeism, loss of productivity, theft, increased health insurance costs, and increased workers’ compensation claims), the expenses can amount to a substantial loss of profit.
More and more frequently, employers protect their “bottom
line” by implementing workplace random drug testing. A recent
study conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor reports companies
which used a workplace random drug testing program reported a
whopping decrease of 63.7% in worker’s
compensation claims. Injury rates reportedly are lowered by 22.3%.
In this article dealing with drug testing featured in the March issue of The PEO Insider, Randall W. Montalbano wrote: “One
mechanical contractor firm paid $2 million a year in claims prior
to implementing a random drug-testing program. The first year their
program was in place, they paid only $1.26 million. At the close
of the second year, the total for insurance claims was only $264,000.
You do the math.”
Montalbano’s articles rated drug use among several industry categories. Eating and drinking establishments reported drug use in up to 16.3% of their employees. Other industries figured in with comparatively high rates of drug use. A sampling follows:
| Furniture and appliance retail |
16.3% |
| Advertising, Consulting |
13.1% |
| Construction |
12.2% |
| Printing and publishing |
11.7% |
| Auto Supply and Gas Stations |
11.2% |
Source: The ProEmp Journal.
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