Common FAQs in Workplace Employee Drug Testing

Workplace drug testing is an important component of a drug-free workplace program. It is adopted by several workplaces for a variety of reasons; one of them is to prevent substance abuse among employers and employees.

Below are some frequently asked questions that will give you a general knowledge about the workplace drug testing program.

Why do workplaces implement employee drug testing?

The most important reason behind the implementation of employee drug testing is to ensure workplace safety and boost staff performance. Some organizations, particularly federal agencies, adopt an employee drug testing to comply with the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing.

When did the workplace drug testing in the United States begin?

There are existing information that drug testing in the United States began as a prevention strategy during the Vietnam War. However, it wasn’t until the late 1980s when the Federal Government expanded drug testing to workers in safety sensitive industries. In 1998, the Drug-free Workplace Act came to life, requiring some Federal contractors and all Federal grantees to agree that they will provide drug-free workplaces as a precondition of receiving a contract or grant from a Federal agency.

At present, many organizations, government and non-government agencies, are implementing a drug testing as part of their drug-free workplace policy. Organization that require drug testing to new and existing employees must adhere to existing federal and state laws to ensure fair labor practice.

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