Last updated : November 18, 2024
You know your employees better than just about anyone else in their social circles. Spending eight or more hours a day in their company, this is only to be expected. Noticing an employee who is usually moody and uncooperative behaving happy and chipper, or by corollary an employee who is typically cheerful starts acting nervous, agitated, or irritable, might mean a number of things. In this day and age, sadly, the first thought that comes to many employers’ minds is “drugs”.
Drugs alter people’s moods and behavior in ways that may not register to someone who doesn’t know them well, but serve as warning signs for someone who does. A person who rarely talks at all suddenly can’t stop talking, at a very rapid pace, and can’t seem to sit still. This could be a sign of use of amphetamines. Someone whose normal behavior is calm and pleasant begins acting paranoid or secretive, a possible indication of cocaine. An employee whose formerly excellent attendance record starts to slip or who refuses to come to work at all may be using heroin. Dilated pupils, inappropriate or abnormal happiness, and an inability to refrain from touching various surfaces could suggest Ecstasy use.Does this automatically mean that every person who behaves a little out of character for a day or so is on drugs? Absolutely not; in fact, the exact opposite is true. What you want to look for are chronic symptoms of drug use, such as weight loss or, in the case of marijuana, weight gain. Other signs include radical changes in mood, behavior, or job performance lasting more than a day or two. Personal problems, such as marital or financial difficulties, often appear much the same way as drug use. Likewise, unexpected good news or simply waking up on the right side of the bed can make even the most irascible employee seem to be acting a little “off.”
This is where things get complicated. You don’t want to accuse an innocent employee of using drugs. This will lead to mistrust and a feeling that “Big Brother is watching,” whether justified or not. At the same time, you have a responsibility to yourself, your company, your other employees, and the general public to make sure all of your staff are fit and functional, for their own and everyone else’s safety and good. This is where having a clearly defined, streamlined drug testing policy can help.
More companies are making drug testing an essential condition of employment, from Fortune 500 corporations to small businesses on Main Street. The best argument for this practice is liability issues, especially in situations where employees are expected to drive or operate machinery as part of their regular duties. Most companies require that any injury demanding any form of treatment, whether it’s simple first aid or an ER visit, be followed up by a drug test to ensure the accident was truly an accident and not the result of negligence caused by intoxication. Additionally, random drug testing has become more popular as new employees “clean up” long enough to get hired before going right back to their usual habits.
By making your staff aware they may be subject to drug testing, this will serve as a sufficient deterrent to most people. For those this policy doesn’t deter, it will facilitate detection and help limit your company’s responsibility for expensive liability or related losses, such as theft. A clear policy regarding circumstances under which drug tests may be administered prevents excuses like “I didn’t know!”
A standardized, consistent substance abuse testing program for a broad range of drugs is great protection, but it can only catch someone after the damage is already done. Your company’s best line of defense is your own intuition, perception, and that of your staff. If someone is acting oddly for them, a simple conversation can either set your mind at ease or warn you this person is intoxicated. In this case, having a readily available substance testing option either on-site or nearby can help prevent accidents or even tragedies. Perhaps even more importantly, it can help you get your employees the help they need to get and stay drug-free, happy, and productive.
