Conditions of Pre-Employment Drug Testing

These drug tests, however, can be an invasion of privacy. Thus, some states require employers, whether private or government establishments, to explicitly advise potential candidates of their drug-testing policy in advance before proceeding with the hiring process. Employers must also make it known if they will use the drug test results as the basis for hiring the applicant, per the American Civil Liberties Union.

In some cases, employers advertising for safe-sensitive jobs must indicate in their job posts that a drug screening is part of the requirement. In others, the drug screenings come only after the applicant has successfully passed the interviews and company tests and could well be offered a job.

Even then, employers must inform the applicant of the drug screening requirement in advance. The drug test notice may also be done in writing, detailing the methods, procedures and what the potential employee must expect.

Combining pre-employment testing and one or more of the other reasons for testing is the best way to avoid hiring drug using applicants while discouraging drug use among employees. Drug testing can help to improve employee morale and productivity while decreasing absenteeism, accidents, downtime, turnover and theft.

If workplace safety is of the utmost importance to a company, then conducting pre-employment drug tests can help mitigate risks associated with drug misuse. By indicating on a job application that an offer of employment may be contingent on the results of a drug test, an employer can help to deter substance abusers from applying altogether. For occupations that place employees in safety-sensitive environments, pre-employment drug testing is critical. as it can help reduce the number of costly workers’ compensation claims involving drug or alcohol use.

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