4 Consequence Options for Your Employee's Failed Drug Test

A drug test is an encounter that can be daunting for both the employer and the employee. While the employee risks losing their job, the employer also worries about losing a valuable employee if things go south. Nonetheless, with substance abuse being prevalent among the American population, drug tests are a useful procedure that helps to create a safe and drug-free working environment.

So, what do you do if your employee fails a drug test? It is a delicate and challenging scenario that you need to tackle with absolute care. Different companies have different policies and requirements regarding work ethics or drug tests. Therefore, you should strive to know what you are up against and your potential alternatives for your worker. Our article aims to unravel the consequences of a failed drug test and available options for the affected employee.

Consequences of a Failed Drug Test

As mentioned earlier, positive drug tests do not automatically imply that the guilty employee will be terminated. Some companies are lenient enough and may let it go especially if it is not repetitive. Other than that, marijuana is synonymous with positive drug tests despite being legal across different states in the US. Be that as it may, it boils down to company policy when it comes to the consequences of failed drug tests.

Employee Options for a Failed Drug Test

Recent studies indicate that over 70% of drug users in the American community have been absorbed into the job market. If an employee gets into your workplace under the influence of a drug, then he or she is likely to make erroneous judgments that will potentially disrupt workflow or put fellow workers in danger. That is why drug tests are important. Even so, a positive drug test does not necessarily imply that a given employee is using drugs. Drug testing procedures are prone to errors and could bring up false positives every once in a while.

Confirmatory Test

Therefore, if the drug test turns out to be positive then it is only nice to undertake a confirmatory test. Not every employer may be understanding enough to see things from this angle. Some may instantly assume that the employee is under the influence of a drug once the first results come up.

Withdrawal from Sensitive Duties

If the confirmatory test also turns out to be positive the unfortunate employee will be culpable. Immediately, he or she should be withdrawn from safety-sensitive responsibilities.

Temporary Leave and Rehabilitation

Most states do not allow employers to fire their workers over a failed drug test. Employees with failed drug tests have to be sent on a temporary leave to help them sober up and get their act together. The employee has to take some counseling classes too.

Further Tests Before Resumption

Upon returning to the workplace, the employee will be tested once again before resuming their work. Only after passing the drug test can the employee get back to work. In some instances, employees with a bad drug test history have to be tested monthly or weekly to prove that they are clean and rehabilitated.  

Bottom Line

Drug tests such as breathalyzers, alcohol test strips, and drug & alcohol dip cards, are safety measures that employers should perform regularly to ensure that their employees are not liabilities. Every company or employer has their policies regarding drug tests. If found answerable then the employee will be treated according to how the terms dictate.