Random?

by Jessica Flora

Random drug testing is an option more and more employers are considering. It provides a continuous reinforcement of an initial pre-employment drug test.

Even though it can be a great program, random drug testing must be truly random. To meet this requirement, every employee must go into a pool from which a program randomly chooses a set of employees. After they are tested, that group of employees must go back into the pool of employees. That means they could be selected again.

The survey says:

According to AAIM Employers’ Association’s 2015-2016 Policies and Benefits Survey of 150 St. Louis and central Illinois businesses, 45.8% of employers have random blood or urine testing in their drug and alcohol policies.

Suggestions for a random drug testing program:

• Communicate. You cannot just start randomly drug testing employees one day. A clear policy must be created and communicated out before you begin.

• Know what happens next. You must have a clear policy on what happens if an employee tests positive. Options include a drug rehabilitation program and immediate termination.  

• Review with a professional. It is always best to have a new or revised policy reviewed by an employers association or attorney before you put it into place.

Jessica Flora, PHR (solutions.team@aaimea.org) is on the Research and Solutions Team for AAIM Employers’ Association, which helps Missouri and Illinois companies manage their people and processes.