Random Drug Testing

Drug testing is a means for employers to determine the facts of whether an employee or prospective new hire has recently used drugs. When developing their drug-free workplace program that includes drug testing, employers should practice careful planning, ensure consistently applied procedures, follow strict confidentiality, and make provisions for employees to appeal test results. The drug and alcohol testing provisions should be included in the company’s drug-free workplace policy that has been provided to all employees in advance.

While pre-employment, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing are the most common, random drug testing is an important part of many jobs especially in safety-sensitive work environments. All full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal or on-call employees may be subject to random drug testing that takes place at unannounced intervals.

Research has shown that random drug testing is a deterrent to workers using or misusing drugs or alcohol on the job or when it can affect the workplace.  What makes random testing so effective is the element of surprise. While employees know they are subject to the testing, they are never quite sure of when. Random testing selections should be performed at least quarterly but some larger employers do it more frequently.

To ensure fairness and impartiality, it is important for employers or their drug testing administrators to conduct the selection of those to be tested utilizing a “random number” software program.  Typically, all employees to be tested are represented by a number code that is entered into the program. The results that are generated from running the program will identify the employees who were selected. Those employees are then notified and immediately sent to the lab. All records of drug testing results are considered confidential.

It should be noted that random drug testing may not be permitted everywhere.  Employers should be familiar with the laws or regulations of their area.

Does your organization use random drug testing? Why or why not?