Last updated : November 11, 2024
Many employers today use pre-employment drug testing. The purpose of pre-employment drug testing is to determine whether a person is using illicit drugs, prescription drugs or alcohol. Cocaine, hydrocodone, marijuana, opiates, oxycodone, barbiturates and alcohol are some of the drugs that are often detected during a drug test. Drug tests are conducted via urine sample, blood sample or hair sample. Drug testing is a very quick and easy process that can be completed in just a few minutes. In most cases, the results come back within 72 hours.
There are several reasons many employers choose to use pre-employment drug testing. Studies have shown that employees who use drugs are 3.6 times more likely to miss eight or more days of work per year. When employees miss days at work, this not only increases the workload of other employees, but it also causes companies to lose money. Drug-using employees are also five times more likely to get involved in an accident at work and need workers compensation. This is another way a company can lose money if a person is using drugs.
Drug-using employees are three times more likely to be late for work. Furthermore, when employees use drugs, this harms the reputation of the company. Many clients do not want to do business with a particular company if the employees are using drugs.
Even if potential employees are qualified, they may still harm the company if they use drugs. This is why more companies are choosing pre-employee drug testing. Pre-employee drug testing helps prevent major problems from occurring later on down the road.
