Why Drug Testing and Medical Screening Are Important in Background Checking

If a background check for a job is required, some companies will use medical screening and drug testing for employees to determine whether they are currently using illegal drugs. These tests are often conducted onsite and can detect substances in the employee’s system for up to 10 days. In addition, pre-accident testing will help employers see employees who have been using drugs before an accident, and random drug testing will prevent employees from abusing substances.

Saliva Tests Can Identify Substance Abuse:

Saliva tests have several benefits for workplace background checking. They are cheat-proof, easy to collect, do not require a private room or gender-specific space, and can be used by anyone. Also, this testing does not require a laboratory’s expertise, saving time and money. Additionally, the results are available on the same day.

Saliva drug testing can identify substance abuse after only a few days of usage. It is a fast, convenient, non-invasive procedure that is as accurate as urine onsite drug tests. Saliva drug screening is gender-neutral and can be used for random, pre-employment, and reasonable suspicion drug testing. In addition, saliva drug tests can be retested under the same conditions as urine-based tests.

Saliva tests can be collected onsite to detect recent drug use in employees. Saliva samples contain the parent drug in a higher concentration than urine and blood, so if an employee were recently exposed to a particular drug, they would show it in their saliva. The drug content is also not long-lasting, so it is possible to erase it.

Urine Tests Detect the Presence of Drugs, Alcohol, and Other Substances

Urine tests are used in background checks to detect the presence of drugs, alcohol, or other substances. They can detect amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, marijuana, MDMA, and its metabolite, as well as synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants. However, these tests have some drawbacks. The test can be inaccurate, and the test taker can tamper with the sample to fudge the results.

While hair tests are often used for background checks, urine tests are less expensive and can detect substances that were present up to five days ago. However, the detection time for some substances varies based on whether the person has used the substance or not.

For instance, marijuana can be detectable in urine for weeks if the individual has been a heavy user for years. In addition, the detection period for alcohol can also differ. Regardless of the type of drug, urine tests are more reliable than hair tests.

Urine tests are commonly used in pre-employment background checks. They can detect various drugs, from marijuana to cocaine and even opiates. The test will most likely identify substances within five to ten days. Urine tests are also helpful in random drug testing programs and when employers suspect an employee of using illegal substances.

Deter Employees From Using Drugs:

Employees often see random drug testing as an unfair “gotcha test,” but the truth is that it can protect them. Both employers and employees benefit from the policy. These tests can identify employees with substance abuse issues and help them get the treatment they need. Employers should ensure their drug testing policy applies to every employee who tests positive.

Employers are increasingly subjecting employees to random drug tests in the United States. These tests can be quite intrusive and require the workers to remove their outer clothing and urinate in a bathroom with the water turned off. A urine test can reveal illegal drugs or medical conditions, including genetic predispositions to disease or pregnancy. A Washington, D.C. police department recently admitted to using urine tests to screen pregnant employees.

Random drug testing policies are one of the most effective tools in preventing substance abuse among employees. The policy allows employers to identify employees who may be using drugs and deter others who may be abusing substances. Studies have shown that random drug testing consistently catches drug users. For example, between 2014 and 2018, the positivity rate for urine tests stayed slightly higher than five percent.

Help Reduce Costs:

In the workplace, drug use can be a big problem. It can cause increased accident rates, absenteeism, and decreased productivity. However, pre-accident drug testing has been shown to help reduce costs for both the employer and the employee. It can also lead to insurance premium reductions for the company. In addition, studies show that employers who do drug testing have fewer workers who report drug use.

Random selection drug tests are conducted on employees by some companies. This method ensures that all employees have an equal chance of being chosen for a test. Random drug testing is often used in the transportation and manufacturing industries. Employers often schedule tests on specific dates throughout the year, usually with work anniversaries. Also, drug testing may be scheduled simultaneously with annual physicals.

Random drug testing is illegal in some cities, and employers must research local laws to ensure they comply with applicable laws. While random drug testing may not be legal in San Francisco, it is generally permitted in other states.