How Workplace Drug Testing Affects Small Business Owners

When it comes to the small business sector, workplace drug testing doesn’t rank high on the list of priorities, if it even makes the list at all. Did you know in the U.S. less than 40 percent of all small businesses administer drug tests before  hiring employees? Though employee drug testing can have a significant, positive impact on small business owners, it is often overlooked.

So, why do so few small business owners take advantage of drug testing? The lack of workplace drug testing can often be linked to limited resources and budgetary restraints. Staying abreast of all the legalities of drug testing from state to state can also be daunting for a small business owner without a sizeable Human Resources department. However, having a workplace drug testing policy in place can provide positive benefits and legal protections for small business owners.

Small Businesses Should Jump Aboard

Workplace drug testing provides several benefits for small businesses. For one, it creates a safer work environment for both the employer and the employees. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), workers suffering from addiction miss 34 percent more days on average than other workers. They also average more injuries in the workplace, NSC studies show. Injuries on the job or dangerous work environments can result in debilitating legal costs and higher insurance premiums for a small business. However, workplace drug testing can prevent these unnecessary events.

Drug use in the workplace also threatens safe and efficient work production while increasing the potential for product or monetary theft. In short, effective monitoring of drug use among employees can help the bottom line of any small business.

Help is on Hand for Small Business Owners

Of course, you must do some homework before adopting drug use policies and implementing a workplace drug testing regimen. It may sound like a lot of work, but you can start the process quite easily by simply contacting other employers or your local chamber of commerce and asking them how they got their program started or by reaching out to a well respected drug testing company such as Confirm BioSciences.

Because no federal compliance laws exist regarding drug testing, with the exception of federal departments such as transportation, individual states govern such rules for most private businesses. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws of the state in which your small business operates. Do you have limited time and resources to dedicate to this? Online resources are available for your reference. For instance, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website hosts state-to-state laws regarding workplace drug testing that you can refer to.

Drug Testing Policies and Procedures

Of course, individual legal rights, such as privacy and nondiscrimination, must be identified and fully considered by any small business owner before subjecting employees to drug testing. Again, online resources can help small business owners get started by suggesting ways to minimize workplace losses and accidents through the creation of a comprehensive drug testing policy and offering advice regarding proven workplace drug testing methods and benefits.

Today’s Drug Testing Alternatives for Small Business Owners Don’t Have to Break the Bank

Small business owners can benefit from workplace drug testing without straining their overall budget. Due to advances in drug testing methods, employee drug testing can be completed in both an economically-friendly and efficient manner. 

Depending on which type of workplace drug testing you choose, the cost of drug testing products must be included in your annual budget. You might find the actual administration of such tests to be less costly than you might think.. A small business owner can pay as little as $10 to $30 for each employee drug test, depending largely on the type of test (e.g., blood, urine, saliva, hair) employed, the frequency of administration, and the number of drugs detected, including alcohol.

Making Your Drug Testing Method Count

Different forms of workplace drug testing can provide different benefits for small business owners. While urine tests are common, saliva drug tests are now the most popular for employers because there is no need for privacy and immediate results are captured. Saliva tests, such as SalivaConfirm™, can immediately detect 5 to 14 different illicit drugs. Saliva testing is also user-friendly, non-invasive, and virtually cheat-proof (as the sample is collected from the employee’s mouth).

Administering initial employee hiring drug tests along with random saliva tests to spot check and maintain employee accountability is the key to keeping a small business running smoothly and maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Drug Testing is Worth Every Penny for Small Business Owners

All in all, implementing a drug testing method, policy, and protocol can help keep your small business afloat by minimizing the chances for incidents that might result in financial catastrophe. Moreover, it can bolster production and profits. Know that you are not alone; many small businesses implement workplace drug testing procedures of their own and can be great resources for your small business.