In today's competitive marketplace, businesses are constantly under pressure to deliver. This can prove challenging for companies with a high turnover rate for employees.

One way to increase productivity is by implementing a random testing policy. The idea behind this approach is that it gives employees a sense of security in knowing that they won't be penalized if they don't produce as much work as expected.

One way to increase productivity is by implementing a random testing policy. The idea behind this is that it gives employees a sense of security in knowing that they won't be penalized if they don't produce as much work as expected or if they should take time off due to illness.

For the employer, it's in your best interest to ensure every random drug and alcohol testing goes according to the books. 

Random Drug and Alcohol Tests are used to test for drugs and alcohol in an individual's system. The individuals are selected at random during the procedure employing computer-generated numbers or letters. These tests are used in various settings, including the workplace, schools, and colleges. It is also the primary approach for FAA drug testing among airline employees.

To ensure optimal accuracy of these tests, they should be conducted by trained professionals with the help of appropriate equipment. These tests are administered in a private room with no one else present. In the case of the FAA, the employer or an independent third party may conduct the tests.

Irrespective of the specific scenario of the test, here are some best practices for the best results.

Prepare a Screening Policy For Reference

One of the critical prerequisites of a successful drug screening program is a document that defines how your organization will approach the tests. This document will contain your policy on drug and alcohol use, the methods to detect it, and everything in between. So you have to draft a screening policy for reference.

Keep The Time Between Notification And Testing Short

Ideally, employees shouldn't have a lot of time between when they're made aware of the test and when it will be conducted. This helps prevent any attempt to sabotage or dodge it. Similarly, you need to avoid carrying out tests in regular, predictable intervals. This way, employees can't adjust their usage to bypass the examination.

One of the best methods for conducting random drug tests is True Random Selection (TRS). TRS is a method that randomly selects an employee from a pool of employees and performs the test on this person. In other words, True random selection is a process where the person being tested is not informed of their selection but instead given a number. This method ensures that any bias in the selection process is eliminated.

The employee chosen by TRS does not know that they have been selected until they arrive at the testing facility. Many companies, including FedEx, Walmart, Home Depot, and law enforcement, have used this method.

Keep The Entire Process Documented

Apart from creating a screening policy, you must document the whole testing process. At times, employees subjected to multiple successive drugs or alcohol testing may sue the company to enforce a random selection process. Furthermore, an employer may have to deal with periodic auditing. In each case, documentation helps show an organization operates according to state laws.

Usually, your organization's testing needs will vary according to the kind of business you operate. Hence, you will be better off when you can guarantee that your screen policy favors the employees and fits your industry. Naturally, therefore, you'll have to customize the program to match the needs of the business.

For instance, if you're a healthcare organization, there may not be the need to enlist every employee in a random drug and alcohol testing program. Instead, employees with access to safety-sensitive equipment or specific medications may have to enroll in a random drug and alcohol testing program.

Strictly Adhere to State And Federal DIrectives

It doesn't matter whether your company by law performs random drug and alcohol testing for employees or this is a policy to decide to implement; it's crucial to stick to the requirements at the state and federal level. Failure to do so could mean costly fines and other penalties. Also, you'll have to meet the standards of other bodies like the DOT or FAA, depending on your industry.

Conclusion

Several aspects are worth discussing regarding the best practices of random drug and alcohol testing. However, this article has focused on the most important ones. In any case, you'll have to carefully consider the needs of your business, its employees, and the regulations that govern employee testing in your state to finalize your best practices.

Remember that the advancement of technology has allowed for more convenient drug and alcohol testing. As such, you should aim to integrate these innovative testing solutions into your organization to help reduce the risk of accidents and drug use among employees.