Most employers who do drug testing do it because they know the importance of a drug free workplace. They understand it’s a crucial part of providing a safe work environment and it’s a great return on investment. It is a proven fact that having a drug free workplace reduces accidents, health insurance cost, tardiness, and absenteeism. Additionally, it tells your employees you value them and their right to a safe and productive workplace.

But there are some employers who drug test to “check a box”. They do not see the value of a robust program and would most likely not test if their hand was not forced. I’ve had customers tell me they would not test if they weren’t required to by their customers/corporate/workers compensation carrier, etc. We know who these “check a box” customers are by their actions, here’s an example.

A donor came in last month and gave our collector 2 samples that were both out of temperature range, both were well below 90 degrees. The donor went back to the waiting room and in about 30 minutes a “friend” showed up and handed him something and left immediately. The donor then alerted the collector he was ready to try. Again, the sample was out of temperature range but this time it was well over 100 degrees. The donor left the clinic, and we reported the test as a refusal. About an hour later the employer called and the collector explained everything to the employer.

The next day the same donor came back in with a new test order from the same employer, again the first specimen was out of temperature range. The donor went to the waiting room and about 30 minutes later gave us a specimen that we would accept. We tested it and it was negative. All the employer cared about was a negative test so they could “check that box”. The employer put no value on having a drug-free workplace because obviously the donor thought he still had drugs in his system, or he would have not gone to so much trouble.

If you’re an employer that does not promote a drug free workplace, please know that drug users are seeking your company out and be warned that “birds of a feather flock together”. Therefore, it’s possible that you may have several employees who are users. Additionally, allowing that behavior can “run off” good drug free employees who do not wish to be around users.

Let First Choice Drug Testing assist you in developing a Bonafide drug free workplace, because “checking a box” is not effective.