Reasonable Suspicion Testing: More Relevant than Ever

In April, New York banned marijuana testing for a number of positions, and more employers are choosing to avoid marijuana testing in their hiring practices because they feel it eliminates a large number of employees. However, employers need to be aware of their employees and their current state of impairment regardless of their position. The best way for employers to be aware of their employees’ current state is by observation. If employers are aware of the signs of drug use and have the option of reasonable suspicion drug testing, they then have an option for protecting their employees and their team.

What is reasonable suspicion testing?

Reasonable suspicion testing is discretionary and requires a comprehensive supervisor training program for the best application in a business. WSS helps employers with both DOT and non-DOT reasonable suspicion training. Once the training is complete and supervisors are certified, they can then create guidelines in their workplace manual to enable trained supervisors to send employees for a drug test. WSS is immediately available 24/7/365 for reasonable suspicion testing on your worksite.

What happens once a reasonable suspicion test is requested?

Once a supervisor requests a reasonable suspicion drug test, WSS comes on-site to test the employee, and the breath alcohol and drug tests are given. WSS recommends also doing an instant drug test if you need them to continue working until the lab results return, a non-negative result (this is an initial positive result obtained by an accredited tester using a screening device; this screening result is then subject to confirmatory testing by an external accredited testing laboratory) would require the employee to be suspended until the lab result is returned.  Once the results come back, the employers should follow their manual to determine how to deal with the employer. Remember as an employer you should never take permanent action until the lab result is returned and the medical review officer has reviewed and signed the result.