The benefits of drug testing employees?
- Published: 12/07/2022
- Updated: 12/27/2022
Employers should perform workplace drug testing on employees for a variety of reasons. First, drug testing is beneficial for both employers and employees. Second, it can help companies save money by decreasing insurance premiums. Finally, drug tests are essential to ensure workplace safety.
Any employer would want drug-free employees. The cost of drug addiction is high; those who abuse substances miss more workdays than those who do not, and substance abusers tend to receive higher unemployment rates. Substance abuse also causes increased workplace accidents and injuries. 28% of workplace injuries can be attributed to drug or alcohol abuse.
In 2002, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that drug tests reduced injuries by an average of 25%. Workplace drug testing is also associated with reductions in workers’ compensation costs. A study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation found that companies that test employees for drugs have workers’ compensation costs that are $18,000 lower than those that do not test.
- Workplace drug testing is beneficial for both employees and employers.
- Drug tests can help companies save money by decreasing insurance premiums.
- Workplace drug testing is a meaningful way to ensure workplace safety.
It is in the best interest of employers to set specific rules to assure productivity within the workplace environment. For example, some organizations may require random drug testing. In contrast, others may want specific individuals tested if there are suspicions about being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work.
Employers can also save on insurance costs by implementing workplace drug testing. While some employers may think this is an added expense, it decreases overall insurance rates because of workplace safety improvements caused by drug-free employees.
In 2003, the Insurance Information Institute conducted a study that showed drug-free workplaces could save up to 50% on workers’ compensation premiums. In addition, insurance companies offer discounts to businesses that have a substance abuse prevention program in place, including workplace drug testing.
The Insurance Information Institute also states that “most standard commercial property and casualty insurance policies exclude coverage for losses arising out of the illegal use of drugs by employees.” This means that if an employer does not have a drug-testing program in, place. An incident occurs when an employee is under the influence of drugs, and the employer will not be covered.
While some employers may think workplace drug testing is an added expense, it decreases overall insurance rates because of workplace safety improvements caused by drug-free employees.
There are many reasons why drug testing is essential for employers and employees. A recent study found that companies who have implemented workplace drug testing programs reported lower rates of insurance claims. The study showed that these companies saved an average of $2.6 million per year on their premiums. The study also found that companies with effective workplace drug testing programs had 43 percent fewer accidents overall.
Workplace drug tests can also help identify employees who have substance abuse problems. Once these employees have been identified, the company can provide them with the necessary assistance to help them get treatment. Drug testing is essential because it can help improve the workplace’s safety and prevent accidents. In addition, employees who know that they will be randomly drug tested are less likely to take drugs or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work. This can help employees stay safe by preventing accidents resulting in injuries, fatalities, or expensive property damage.
It is also crucial for employers to remember that drug tests are not just for detecting the use of illegal drugs. Some prescription drugs, such as opioids, can impair an individual’s ability to work safely. Opioids are a class of drugs used to treat pain and include morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Recently, there has been an increase in Americans addicted to opioids, which is a severe problem because addiction to opioids can lead to debilitating health problems and even death.
Overall, workplace drug testing benefits everyone involved: employers, employees, and their families. It can help prevent accidents and team members from becoming addicted to drugs by providing them with access to drug testing facilities. By implementing a random drug testing policy for all workers, companies ensure happy, healthy, and safe employees.
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