Last updated : December 23, 2024
After Colorado legalized recreational marijuana use in 2012, Denver employers decided to take a harder stance on employee drug use.
A Denver-based workplace survey indicates that one in every five employers report implementing tougher drug testing policies. Only two percent of respondents claim to have relaxed their requirements for marijuana testing. Seventy-one percent report no policy changes regarding cannabis. The survey was conducted by the Mountain States Employers Council.
Denver Wants a Safe, Sober Workforce
Some speculate that the movement towards increased testing may be related to the fear that legal marijuana use could threaten workplace safety and integrity. Others suggest that the increase may be due to aggressive marketing campaigns developed by drug test vendors, which promote drug testing as a way to reduce workers compensation costs. Recreational marijuana advocates say that the issue should be treated the same as alcohol consumption, and those who use the drug should not be punished for responsible consumption outside of work hours. Because marijuana has an illegal federal status, courts have ruled that employers retain the right to fire workers for using weed both on and off the clock.
How Does Drug Use Threaten the Work Environment?
While using drugs on the job is strictly off-limits for obvious reasons, drug use on weekends and days off is also a problem. Residual effects from drugs can last for several days or even weeks. Workers who use drugs increase the risk of workplace accidents and serious or even fatal injuries, especially if they operate heavy machinery, handle dangerous substances or drive commercial vehicles while under the influence. Many recreational drugs affect users by decreasing their sense of sight, smell and touch. They can also impair judgment and cognitive function, decrease motor skills and cause drowsiness or forgetfulness. If a worker doesn’t react quickly to a potential hazard because of slowed response time or lack of alertness, a tragedy could result. Over time, companies may pay higher insurance premiums because of frequent injuries or workers compensation claims. Workplace drug use also puts employers at higher risk of being sued for personal injury or property damages. Besides inflating expenses and creating safety hazards, drug users reduce overall productivity and contribute to low workplace morale. Unchecked, drug abuse at work can ruin a brand’s reputation and integrity.
It’s Simple: Drug Testing Works
Drugs identified in a typical drug test panel include marijuana, alcohol, opiates, methamphetamines, cocaine and phencyclidine. Because technicians can easily detect altered samples, most results are reliable and accurate. After implementing a comprehensive drug testing program, an employer can expect to see a 51 percent drop in workplace injuries within a couple of years. With options like mobile, on-site drug testing specialists, employees won’t have to miss work to submit their samples. Random testing encourages continued compliance. A positive drug test result could mean the end of employment and the loss of benefits, but it also gives employers a chance to help rehabilitate a good worker who has gone astray. With the nationwide buzz about legal marijuana use fresh in the minds of employers from every state, it won’t be a surprise if more areas decide to adopt Denver’s approach.
