Oklahoma’s new laws that give employers greater latitude for workplace drug testing can help the state address its substance abuse epidemic, according to workplace advocates. Still, businesses that drug test their workers should use more than a zero tolerance approach, educators warn.
Amended statutes, which took effect Nov. 1 and were tweaked in an emergency order May 8, among other things, allow employers to test workers with negative performance patterns, excessive absenteeism or tardiness; test workers following a leave of absence or job reassignment; test whole groups or shifts of employees; test workers who, while at work, damage property of any value; and test independent contractors when there’s a contractual agreement to allow it.
Employers’ drug policies now may state workers will be tested for “drugs and alcohol;” they no longer must list specific drugs. And today’s employers aren’t obliged to offer employee assistance programs to conduct drug testing.
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