Last updated : December 30, 2024
Want an overview of USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio’s supervisor reasonable suspicion training?
Here’s a behind the scenes look at some of the most important information covered in our reasonable suspicion training program for supervisors.
Do you know the following about reasonable suspicion testing?
Reasonable suspicion drug testing determinations are sometimes the most challenging aspects of a drug-free workplace program, yet can have a profound impact on safety, well-being and productivity.
Reasonable suspicion testing has been approved by the Supreme Court if…
- Your company has a drug free workplace policy in place
- Employees have been informed of the policy
- Supervisors have been trained on how to handle Reasonable Suspicion
Reasonable suspicion testing is required when a trained supervisor/employer has reason to believe that the employee has used alcohol and/or drugs either at or before work, and is currently impaired.
Specific reasons for reasonable suspicion testing include:
- Physical evidence of illicit substances
- Patterns of erratic or abnormal behavior disorientation, or
- Confusion and an inability to complete routine tasks
Wondering why reasonable suspicion training is the supervisor’s responsibility?
Reasonable suspicion training is the supervisor’s responsibility because you know your employees the best, you work most closely with your employees, and you would be most likely to recognize the key elements that would lead to this type of drug test. When determining if a reasonable suspicion drug test is needed, supervisors should look for the following in their employees:
- Changes in behavior
- Changes in work/performance
- Physical changes
- Changes in speech patterns
- Changes in demeanor
If you are interested in learning more about our supervisor training program, please contact us here.
Do you know the indicators of spotting potential drug & alcohol use in your employees?
If you as a supervisor are concerned about your employee being under the influence of drugs or alcohol on the job, these are the indicators to be aware of for potential drug and alcohol use:
- Frequent, prolonged, and often unexplained absences
- Involvement in accidents both on and off the job
- Erratic work patterns and reduced productivity
- Indifference to personal hygiene
- Overreaction to real or imagined criticism
- Overt physical signs such as exhaustion or hyperactivity, dilated pupils, slurred speech, unsteady walk, etc.
Do you know the effects of drugs/alcohol & impairment at work?
If employees use drugs and/or alcohol while on the job, it can greatly impact their performance and/or behavior. The image outlines the effects of drugs & alcohol and impairment at work:
However, just one of these signs doesn’t automatically mean an employee has a drinking or drug problem. Symptoms of abuse often come in groups of two or more. In USA Mobile Drug Testing’s supervisor training program, we dive deeper into the checklist outlined in the image below.
If the employee meets the criteria to test for reasonable suspicion, there may be immediate action required or not. Our supervisor training program also outlines steps to professionally confront the employee in question. If you would like to learn more about our supervisor training program, please contact us here.
What is considered to be a refusal to test?
An issue a supervisor might encounter when approaching an employee for reasonable suspicion testing is that the employee may refuse to do the drug test. Here is the criteria for a refusal to test:
- Any lack of cooperation with the testing process
- If the employee states that he/she will not take the test, the supervisor must clearly state the consequences of the employee’s refusal to submit to the test
- Even if the employee admits that he/she has violated the company’s substance abuse policy, the employee must be tested, or else it is deemed a refusal to test.
- A refusal to test is a positive or failed test
Conclusion
Regardless of what happens, if you handle reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing with clarity and professionalism, you can swiftly resolve the issue. In USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio’s training, we train supervisors on possible scenarios so they know when or when not to test for reasonable suspicion. Out of the hundreds of supervisors we’ve trained, they’ve found this training to be extremely beneficial to keep their workplace safe and drug free. Please contact us here to learn more about our supervisor training program. You can also read about our drug free workplace training program for your employees here.
