Employers are placed in difficult situations when workers start using drugs in workplace. It is not easy to detect if workers are taking drugs and other illegal substances, and by the time it is known, already damages have been caused. This is why employers have put in place proactive measures to ensure they curb this behavior. Some of the measures taken include pre employment drug screening, on-job random tests, and behavioral screening of workers.
There are many liabilities, which are associated with such a behavior. Apparently, some of the costs could be prevented if the workers are tested before they join work places. Some employers may assume that it is costly to conduct such tests or their business does not warrant testing workers. However, this is the wrong notion considering that any kind of business can be affected by drugs.
Workers may injure themselves or cause injuries to their colleagues when they fail to follow the instruction required to operate machines. The lack of concentration and fatigue are things, which could easily lead to accidents. Businesses that record high number of accidents experience liabilities in form of worker compensation.
It is the first line of defense in hiring workers who are irresponsible and dangerous to other employees. When the tests are conducted, they help prevent such cadre of workers from joining the workforce. This not only helps improve cohesion in workplace but also reduces work related accidents. Use of drugs is something that affects both employers and employees.
Moreover, workers using substances do not perform optimally. There is reduced productivity as a result of effects from drugs. Performance problems witnessed among the workers include difficulties in following specific instructions, which could lead to flaws in service provision, or production of substandard products. The company may also be subjected to liabilities in form of compensation due to production of poor quality products, or poor services.
The substance abusers will most fall ill often than other workers, something that leads to more days out of work. By applying the tests procedure, the bad workers can be avoided before they join a company. It may not picture clearly to most employers that, the drugs tests are essential practices as part of enhancing safety in workplace.
Turnover within the workplace is never a bad thing as long as it is aimed at bringing in new productive workers. Every business experiences some turnover as workers willingly exit the workplace. However, when there are circumstances such as consumption of drugs compelling the employers to lay off worker, it means that new workers have to be hired.
It is better to prevent workers from joining the work place than hire some people who are ethically unfit to perform duties. It will cost businesses more money and loss of reputation if they do not consider testing their workers. Besides, the OSHA officials are always on the lookout for employers who may not be putting in place safety measures within workplace to protect their employees.
Read more about Why Every Business Should Consider Pre Employment Drug Screening.