Pre-employment drug screening is required of any motor carrier or organization that employs or seeks to employ safety-sensitive workers who are subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations. However, there’s a good reason to perform pre-employment screening on potential job candidates even if your organization doesn’t fall under DOT testing regulations: it could save you money. Read on to learn more about how pre-employment drug screening could save your business money, as well as a few other reasons to mandate drug testing as a condition of employment.
Hire Responsible and Trustworthy Employees
First and foremost, pre-employment drug screening enables you to make confident hiring decisions that can have a huge impact on your business. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, drug use in the workplace costs employers approximately $81 billion annually. Pre-employment screening allows you to identify those applicants whose drug problem can pose a serious risk to your business.
Reduce the Likelihood of a Costly Accident
Individuals who abuse drugs typically have lower physical and/or mental reflexes as non-abusers. Depending on the type of business you operate and what type of position you are filling, hiring an individual who uses illegal drugs can increase the risk of a costly accident that may result in property damage, physical injuries, or even death.
Reduce Employee Turnover
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly seven percent of adults employed full time currently use illegal drugs. If you don’t implement a pre-employment drug screening policy, there’s a chance you could hire a drug abuser who will eventually need to be replaced. By making an informed hiring decision upfront, you can reduce employee turnover and save yourself the cost of hiring and training as many new employees.
HDS Safety & Compliance is one of the leading drug and alcohol testing providers for motor carriers in Arizona, but we can also implement a drug-free workplace at companies that do not fall under the DOT testing regulations. To learn more about our pre-employment drug screening services, please call us at 1-800-800-7801.
