Last updated : April 21, 2025
If you don’t include a random drug test in your drug-free program, you might consider it after you hear this news! A whopping 40% of illicit drug users in the United States say that when a company drug tests, they aren’t likely to apply.
That’s nearly half!
Even so, that leaves a lot of people who can most likely refrain from drug use long enough to clean out their system and get a job. There’s no way to plan for a random test though. And drug users don’t want to risk being caught unawares. Once word gets out that you randomly test throughout the year, you’re even more likely to attract employees who never use them.
It’s important to set up your random program correctly. It greatly reduces the threat of a future lawsuit if an employee feels discriminated against.
Don’t use the old hat method
Don’t treat selecting employees for the random drug test like a game of chance. Drawing names from a hat, throwing darts, or drawing straws aren’t ever a good idea. Even if wearing a blindfold, an employee who tests positive may accuse you of foul play and hit you with a lawsuit.
Take it off-site
Having a third party manage your random process is the best-case scenario.
They use computer software to generate a random list. Your only job is to keep them supplied with a current list of employees for the name pool.
Don’t give it away
The purpose of a random drug test is to catch drug users unaware. If the random test comes up at the same time of year, it won’t be long before they’re expected.
That completely defeats the purpose, so if you schedule in-house testing, mix it up and keep them guessing.
Communication is the key
If you’re going to start randomly testing employees, document your reason for conducting random drug tests throughout your policy, protocols, employee training, and education. Provide copies of the information throughout your workforce.
Focus on the fact that drug-free programs increase workplace safety. And, we suggest, mentioning that 40% statistic. The majority of employees don’t use drugs and will be open to plans that reduce drug use in the workplace.
Sometimes random doesn’t seem fair
It may not have happened within every company that conducts random drug testing, but you can be sure that it’s happened in many. Some people just seem to have their name pop up on the random list fairly frequently—hopefully, it happens when they play the lottery too! Other employees’ names may never get drawn.
Some unlucky employees have complained that it’s unfair but the law of averages is what it is.
If the subject comes up in your company, ensure your employees that it’s truly just the “luck of the draw.” If a name is removed from the test pool after someone is randomly tested and isn’t added again until everyone’s tested, any drug users would know they were “home free” until it was time to put their name back in the draw.
Random drug testing is good for business
Random drug testing serves as a huge deterrent to workplace drug use because of the spontaneity involved. When using a random, computer-generated selection of employees, the employer avoids the accusation that someone is “targeted” if their name comes up on a seemingly regular basis.
Other benefits associated with random drug testing include:
- A reduction in absenteeism
- Improvement in attendance
- Productivity increases
- Reduction in health care costs
- Reduced number of accidents
The element of surprise makes you, the employer, capable of weeding out drug users who are part of your workforce. That’s a powerful weapon—you should wield it.
