carmelacahtill5798@gmail.com

7 Benefits of Drug and Alcohol Testing in The Workplace

7 Benefits of Drug and Alcohol Testing in The Workplace

Excessive drug and alcohol consumption is detrimental to health and has severe social implications, especially when a work environment is concerned. Employers are becoming more proactive in creating a drug and alcohol-free workspace to protect the company’s reputation and improve organisational productivity. One of the most sought-after methods is conducting routine drug and alcohol testing in the workplace. 

So, if you have not yet considered it part of your workplace practice, check the benefits it can offer.

Safe working environment

It is the fundamental right of the employees to have a safe workplace. Hence, promoting a safe working environment is one of the primary advantages of implementing drug and alcohol testing. Employees who use or abuse drugs are a risk to themselves and others when handling hazardous chemicals, driving vehicles or operating machinery. 

Moreover, the effect of a drug or alcohol increases the chances of workplace accidents which can result in injuries or even death, exposing the company to public relations issues and other liabilities. 

Increased productivity

Productivity determines business success. An employee under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol is less efficient, has low productivity and affects company profits. When drug and alcohol testing is done, the entire workforce feels secure and becomes more productive, and there is a huge boost in their morale. 

Enhance performance

Workers consuming drugs and alcohol regularly deliver poor performance. Therefore, it is necessary to detect such employees failing to deliver performance per the expected company standards, and it can only be done by performing regular drug and alcohol tests. The test results can help the company eliminate the weak links preventing fulfilment of organisational goals and steady growth. 

Reduce compensation claims

Employees having substance abuse problems are prone to health issues and workplace accidents. Hence, these employees incur high medical costs and frequently claim health insurance premiums. Routine drug and alcohol tests can identify substance abusers, reduce the number of claims, and lower health insurance costs. 

Reduce staff turnover

Employees changing jobs frequently can be expensive for a company as hiring and training new employees is cost-intensive. People with substance abuse issues do not stay long in the workplace, which can be a huge concern for employers. However, by including drug and alcohol testing programs in the workplace, you can reduce the chances of high turnover and keep hiring costs to a minimum.  

Detect problem workers

Employees doing drugs and alcohol have poor attendance, which can financially burden employers. Even when they come to work, they are either hungover or distracted. Regularly conducting drug and alcohol tests can detect problem workers and take action before the situation becomes serious. It can also prevent cases where employees remain absent for long periods to undergo treatment or relapse into heavy abuse. 

Reduce workplace conflicts

Regular drug or alcohol users get easily agitated, display irrational behaviour, and suffer severe mood swings. These behavioural tendencies often lead to workplace conflicts which also affect employee morale. However, drug and alcohol tests can help create a safe work environment where employees work harmoniously. Plus, it enables identifying issues much faster and taking steps to resolve the situation. 

Drug and alcohol tests have become an obvious requirement in mining, engineering and construction industries. However, to deal with drug and alcohol abuse issues, you must build a solid foundation by creating a framework for drug testing. Without a legal policy, the testing may not yield significant results.