How do random drug tests work

How effective is Random Drug Testing? In a word: Very. Deterrent — If you are an employee subject to random testing, and you are not willing to pay the price if you fail, then you are less likely to use. Employee health — Random drug testing often detects employees who have a drug problem and need help.

We have a number of clients that treat it that way. What if an otherwise good employee fails a random drug test? Some employers think about this up front. We help our clients deal with this issue frequently. Reasons to drug test The most common times companies conduct drug tests are pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and random.

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Refusal to Test Employees who refuse to submit to a test or who adulterate, dilute or otherwise tamper with a test specimen will be subject to immediate discharge.

Consequences of Positive Test Results If an employee tests positive on an initial screening test, the employee will be temporarily suspended while the confirmation test is being conducted. Only one of the following options should be included in the employer's drug-testing policy:] [Option 1:] A positive test result confirmed by a medical review officer of the laboratory will result in termination of employment in accordance with [Company Name]'s zero-tolerance drug-free workplace policy.

Recordkeeping All records concerning test results will be kept by [Company Name] in medical files that are maintained separately from employee personnel files.

Retesting Employees may request a retest of their positive test results within five working days after notification of a positive test result.

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Following are the most common or widespread:. What are the different methods of drug testing? There are a number of different bodily specimens that can be chemically tested to detect evidence of recent drug use. Although some state laws dictate which types of tests can be used, a number of options are technologically feasible. Other alternative specimens that can be used for detecting the use of selected drugs of abuse include blood, hair, oral fluids and sweat.

These five illicit drugs are:. The typical 8-Panel Test includes the above-mentioned substances plus:. The typical Panel Test includes the 8-Panel Test plus:. Though it might not be wise to publicize detection windows and invite employees who may use drugs to push their limits, when implementing drug testing, it is important to understand them.

For instance, alcohol is absorbed and eliminated more quickly than other drugs. This is why post-accident testing procedures often require testing for alcohol to occur within two hours. Other drugs are eliminated from the system at different rates and thus detectable for different periods of time, often long after the drug's effect has worn off. The following are estimates of the length of time that certain drugs are detectable:.

How does a drug test determine if a person has been using substances? What are cut-off levels and what do they determine? Aside from a breath alcohol test, drug testing does not determine impairment or current drug use.

Rather, drug testing determines a specified amount or presence of a drug or its metabolite in urine, blood or an alternative specimen. There is a minimum measurement applied to drug testing so that only traces of a drug or its metabolite above a specified level is reported as positive. For example, a low cut-off level could cause a positive result from consuming poppy seeds. Other considerations when implementing drug testing.