Why Use Pre-Employment Drug Testing?

Pre-employment drug testing is conducted at Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses. The prospective employee takes the drug test at a doctor's office or drug screening facility. The employee's job offer often hinges on her ability to pass a drug test.

Safety

Pre-employment screening is used to ensure the employee does not use drugs. Drug use by company drivers and warehouse personnel can open the company to lawsuits and injury complaints.

Criminal activity

If a prospective employee is a drug user, a pre-employment drug test will show this. The prospective employee may bring criminal activity to the workplace. Employers want to avoid this at all costs.

Work ethic

Many drug users do not have an ambitious work ethic. The pre-employment drug screening and subsequent evidence of drug use opens the employer up to employee absenteeism, numerous sick days and possible fraud.

Health

The pre-employment screening alerts the employer to health issues possibly associated with drug use. The abuse of prescription drugs such as painkillers can mean increased insurance costs for the employer.

Low productivity

Pre-employment drug screening helps the employer avoid low productivity issues. The employer does not want to pay full price for an employee that does not perform as needed to get the work done.

References

• Intro to drug screening
• Why drug screening?

Resources

• Pre-employment drug testing FAQs