Last updated : December 16, 2024
Drug testing has become a vital element of hiring and employee assessment in recent years. Pre-qualifying employees, particularly for potentially dangerous or safety-sensitive roles, is important for the company for several reasons. Drug abuse can crop up among existing employees as well, create situations that may damaging to the individual, fellow employees, overall productivity and to the financial health of the company itself.
Prevalence of Drug Users in the Workplace
According to a U.S. Department of Justice report in 2011, illicit drug abuse cost the U.S. public $193 billion during 2007 from absenteeism, lost productivity, medical costs, worker’s compensation, legal expenses and a variety of liability expenses. Alcohol abuse is estimated to have cost an additional $224 billion.
Morale is also seriously affected as non-drug users prefer to have no interaction with drug users.
How a Mobile Drug Testing Company Saves You Money
A qualified drug testing company is a matter of necessity in workplaces and can save money for the company in at least seven tangible ways:
- Improve Productivity: Employees who are impaired by drugs simply do not work as quickly or effectively as those who are sober. According to the Small Business Association, drug users are on average 33% less productive. Drug users tend to make mistakes during even routine processes and frequently cause disruptions, slow downs and defective output. This problem may be as likely in the office as on the production floor.
- Reduce Absence and Tardiness: Drug usage usually results in increased absenteeism and tardiness. According to the NDWA, drug users were absent an average of 5 days per month. The absolute cost of these events varies from company to company, but the cost of temporary replacements and delays in output is calculable.
- Reduce Injuries and Lower Worker’s Compensation Costs: Drug or alcohol-impaired individuals are more subject to injuries on the job than non-users. NDWA reports that drug users are 3.6 times more likely to be injured and 5 times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim. As a result, worker’s compensation claims and costs rise.
- Reduce Turnover and Human Resources Costs: Drug users frequently pass through interviews and hiring process. Unfortunately, after hiring, many times new hires revert to drug use and the results begin to show in performance. In time, the company may be forced to justify a firing. For HR, this means the cycle of hiring and training must begin again. For the company, a much-needed position remains unfilled.
- Lower Transportation Accident Rates and Insurance Costs: Alcohol and drug–related accidents accounted for 32% of all traffic fatalities. Risks are similar with drug users in work-related transportation situations. A single documented incident of an impaired driver accident may cause a company vehicle insurance to rise. More than one incident could result in skyrocketing premiums.
- Limit Health Insurance Premium Increases: Additional accidents and injuries attributable to drug-impaired workers result in increases in health insurance costs. As noted with worker compensation claims, drug abusers generate higher medical costs.
- Legal Costs: Many drug-related events generate a substantial volume of liability issues. Injuries or death sustained as a result of drug-related negligence can become a huge liability for any company. Dealing with a myriad of worker’s compensation claims can result in extensive legal activity and cost.
Drug Testing Makes a Company Stronger
According the U.S. Health and Human Services, substance abusers double the number of worker’s compensation claims. Pre-screening potential employees prior to hiring may solve many problems before they might occur.
For existing employees, an on-site drug testing company offers significant advantages. Interruption of normal work activities is reduced; the potential for cheating is lessened and the risk of accidents on the way to the test location is eliminated.
