Why is Reasonable Suspicion Training Required?

With reasonable suspicion drug testing, DOT regulations set the standard for what constitutes reasonable suspicion and acceptable protocols. It is important to know these guidelines in order to remain compliant with DOT standards and avoid costly fines. In case you aren’t aware, reasonable suspicion training is defined as “articulable observations, that can be objectively verified by some documentation, which taken together with rational inferences about those observations, reasonably warrant further investigation and is used to determine if an employee is under the influence of drugs and can be used as sufficient grounds for reasonable suspicion testing.

If you have any doubt about whether or not your company’s protocol qualifies as “reasonable,” then it is best to err on the side of caution and consult an attorney who is familiar with both Federal and State drug testing guidelines. For example, under Federal guidelines it’s mandatory for all supervisors regulated by the Department of Transportation and assists companies with maintaining compliance with the DOT’s Reasonable Suspicion Guidelines described in 49 CFR Part 40.

Supervisors and Managers regulated by the following industries are required to take training:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA),
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA),
• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA),
• United States Coast Guard (USCG), and
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Training supervisors and managers in making reasonable suspicion determination it can help ensure that supervisor know what information can be used for reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing and is an opportunity to educate supervisors and managers on what reasonable suspicion is and how it can help reduce the chances of civil penalties being assessed to the company and can also reduce the number of discrimination lawsuits being brought against companies, and its only required once in a lifetime, however, if supervisors and managers are regulated by the FAA they also required to take annual recurrent training.

What are the benefits of training supervisors on drug and alcohol reasonable suspicion?

• Reasonable suspicion training for supervisors is mandatory for all supervisors and managers if the Department of Transportation regulates them.
• Reasonable Suspicion is used to determine if an employee is under the influence of drugs and can be used as sufficient grounds for Reasonable Suspicion Testing.
• Training supervisors on Reasonable Suspicion is an important step in ensuring that the company remains committed to workplace safety fair and maintains fair and reasonable drug and alcohol testing guidelines.
• Reasonable Suspicion Training for supervisors and managers is not only critical to maintaining DOT compliance but also assists companies with reducing the risk of discrimination lawsuits and helps maintain safety in the workplace.

What is Non-DOT Reasonable Suspicion Training?

Non-DOT Reasonable Suspicion Training is similar to DOT training for supervisors and can be used to teach an employer’s supervisors and manners their legal right to perform drug and alcohol testing that is in line with their drug and alcohol policy and state drug testing laws and is the only way for an employer to ensure that their supervisors are following company policy and pre-existing laws. NON-DOT Reasonable Suspicion Training can help ensure this by teaching supervisors’ specific skills, techniques, and how to recognize behaviors that be deemed suspicious or warrant drug testing that does not fall under a Department of Transportation regulated industry or sector.

Like DOT reasonable suspicion training, NON-DOT Training in reasonable suspicion teaches non-regulated supervisors and managers how to effectively investigate, recognize, and confirm their suspicion that an employee may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Where can an employer find training courses in reasonable suspicion training?

If you are an employer with a drug-free workplace program, keeping your employees free from illegal drug use and preventing accidents caused by intoxication is a major concern. It’s important to note that reasonable suspicion training is just one step in maintaining a drug-free workplace.  To enroll in online reasonable suspicion training for supervisor contact us at 1-888-390-5574.