Employee drug testing usually checks for five drugs, but can include up to 15.
Many employers require drug testing of their new and current employees. Companies may institute a general rule to test all newly hired staff, or conduct annual testing of all staff. Others may require random or post-incident drug testing, depending on the employee's role. Certain jobs require drug testing under the U.S. Department of Transportation's drug testing rules, such as some truck drivers and healthcare workers. Companies contract with organizations that handle the confidential testing process. Testing may include a urinalysis, blood sample and hair sample.
Hiring Contingency
For companies that drug test all new hires, when a job offer is extended, the individual is provided instructions on where and when to get the drug test. The offer of hire is often contingent on the results of the drug test. If the test is positive, the offer may be rescinded. Employers may require a quick turnaround between the time the individual receives his test order to the time to take the test. This turnaround is to disallow usage of masking or cleansing agents prior to the test that may skew results.
Confidentiality
Employees should not be concerned with the confidentiality of their drug testing. Protected health information -- like test results -- is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Only in rare occasions, such as in conjunction with a crime, are your results released to anyone other than you and the employer. Companies require testers to sign a release prior to the test that authorizes the lab to send the results to the employer.
Employee Procedures
Your company will give you paperwork for the drug testing. You need to bring this paperwork to the designated lab, facility or doctor's office and give it to the receptionist. You will go into an area to provide the necessary sample. Some companies require only a urine sample, but others are more thorough and require hair, blood and other samples for testing. The results are sent to the employer and are just shared with the Human Resources Department and the hiring manager. Many employers only respond to the employee in the event of a positive result.
Positive Tests
When a current employee tests positive on a drug test, the employer will meet with the employee to discuss the result. Depending on the company policy, results of the test and frequency of the violation, the employee may be suspended or terminated. Companies may require the employee seek help under an employee assistance program. Mandatory referrals to the EAP occur when the employer requires the employee to complete EAP sessions before returning to his job duties. In the presence of a positive test, employees may face more frequent drug testing, or a second drug test to rule out any false positives.
