Why Does a Pre-Employment Drug Test Matter?

It is important for all companies to make sure they do their due diligence before they hire someone. One of the most important steps in the hiring process involves a background check. There are numerous steps that have to be accomplished before someone can do a background check. In addition to conducting a criminal background check, is also a good idea to conduct a pre-employment drug test.

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There are three reasons why companies need to make sure they conduct this test. Learn more about the importance of drug testing employees and applicants below.

Drug Testing Is Important from a Reliability Perspective

The first reason why companies need to conduct a drug test as a part of their pre-employment screening is that this is important from a reliability perspective. Companies need to make sure that they know their employees are going to show up to work every day. If there are illicit drugs that show up on a drug screen, this might mean that individuals may not be able to show up for work every day. For example, if someone is high, unconscious, or otherwise unavailable because of illicit drugs, this can place the company in a difficult position. It is critical for companies to know exactly who they are hiring and conducting a pre-employment drug test is an important part of this step.

Drug Testing Is Also Important from a Liability Perspective

Another reason why companies need to conduct drug testing as a part of their employment screening is that this is important from a liability perspective. For example, if companies are looking to hire someone to drive their vehicles, they are responsible for the actions of their employees behind the wheel. If someone has a history of drug use, they may not be able to operate a motor vehicle safely. If they end up getting in a motor vehicle accident because they were high behind the wheel, the company might be held responsible.

Another potentially serious liability issue is that companies are also responsible for the safety of their employees in the workplace. For example, if someone has a history of drug use and they show up to work high, it might place other employees at risk. This is another liability issue that companies need to avoid.

Drug Testing Is Critical for the Reputation of the Company

A company is a reflection of its employees. It is important for companies to make sure they protect the reputation by hiring the right people. If word gets out that the company has a history of hiring people who use drugs on the job, this could harm the reputation of a company, damaging its revenue numbers. In order for companies to avoid this situation, they need to conduct drug screening ahead of time. If they realize that someone has a history of drug use, this is something that may want to consider because it could reflect poorly on the company, depending on the industry in which they work.

Drug Testing Can Reveal Evidence of Chronic Medical Issues

Finally, companies also need to make sure they drug test their employees before they start because this screening is going to catch prescription medications in addition to it illegal ones. Companies need to make sure they understand if their employees suffer from chronic medical problems because their employees may end up missing time due to these issues. Companies can take a look at prescription medication on a drug screen and figure out if their employees may run the risk of missing time. This could be something companies want to figure out before they hire someone.

Conduct Through Pre-Employment Screening Including Drug Use

It is important for companies to make sure that they are thorough when it comes to the screening process. There are numerous steps that have to be completed before the company decides to hire someone. It is important to take a look at someone’s history of drug use with a drug test. This will provide companies with all of the information they need to make hiring decisions. A history of drug use is something that companies need to be aware of before they decide to hire someone.


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