Fifty-seven percent of employers test all job candidates for drugs, with only 29 percent forgoing drug tests on any job candidates, according to a poll released by the Society for Human Resource Management and the Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association.
Of the respondents who use drug tests, 69 percent have done so for at least seven years, and 12 percent have relied on them for five to six years.
"Among the organizations using these testing programs, the tendency is to continue the use of them over relatively long periods of time," says Mark Schmit, director of research at SHRM. "In addition, organizations are reporting positive impacts related to drug and alcohol testing that supports the efficacy of these programs."
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Since drug testing programs have been implemented, some of those employers have seen effects on employee productivity, absenteeism and workers' compensation incidence rates. In fact, 19 percent of these employers say productivity has improved while 6 percent are experiencing workers' compensation incidence rates of more than 6 percent after beginning programs compared to the previous 14 percent.
The poll also finds that once a drug testing program is established, 16 percent of employers with drug testing programs cite a decline in employee turnover rates; however, 8 percent also report an increase.
"The data show that drug testing may yield a high return on investment by creating a more stable, productive and safe workplace," says Neil Fortner, DATIA chairman elect and the study's principal investigator.
In related findings, 72 percent of respondents with multinational operations say all, almost all or some of the same protocols and policies are used when drug testing employees outside of the United States. Typically, drug tests are not used on existing employees, with 64 percent of respondents saying they do not subject existing employees to drug testing.
For employers who do use post-employment drug tests, the most common tests are post-accident testing at 51 percent, random testing at 47 percent and reasonable suspicion testing at 35 percent. Seventy-seven percent of respondents solely conduct drug testing at off-site facilities, and 16 percent use both in-house and off-site facilities.
"Cost, logistics and consideration for candidates influence when drug tests are given," says Richard Jordan, a member of SHRM's staffing and talent management expertise panel. "If used, it's typically at the pre- or post-offer stages as part of the pre-employment verification process, depending on each organization's policy and standard procedures."
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