In case you’re not aware of it, drug testing kits are actually quite common in the workplace. In fact, they are often used to test for drugs as well as alcohol.
The reason why employers use these is that they help them keep their employees safe and prevent any untoward incidents from occurring in the office premises. They also help them save money and time since they allow them to quickly detect the presence of substances in an employee’s body without having to wait for a blood test or urine sample to be taken or analyzed at the lab.
There are different types of drug tests available out there. Some of them can detect specific amounts of certain kinds of drugs while others can only detect whether or not there is anything present in the body. It largely depends on what the employer wants to do with the information it gets from the test results.
So, if you plan to work in one of those companies where drug testing is conducted, here’s a list of some of the things you need to know about drug testing kits before applying for employment.
1. Types of Drug Testing
If you want to get a job working in one of those companies that conduct drug testing, then you should first understand the different types of drug tests that are available. There are mainly two types of drug tests:
Urine tests – Urine tests are the most popular type of drug tests because they are easy and fast to perform and analyze. This means that they can give results faster than other tests like hair follicle tests which require more time to complete, and they don’t leave behind any kind of DNA evidence in your system. However, they also have their disadvantages in that they cannot tell if you were under the influence of drugs for several hours beforehand so you may be able to hide it from the test result.
Hair follicle tests– Hair follicle tests are another type of drug tests that can give reliable results. They are also relatively fast but they can reveal information about recent use of drugs and can even show up traces of drugs that haven’t been eliminated yet from your system. Therefore, employers prefer using this method over urine tests because it will provide them with more information.
Blood tests – Blood tests are considered to be the best way to detect the presence of drugs in your system. These tests can give the employers the desired amount of information about recent drug usage. However, they also take longer to perform and analyze compared to urine tests and hair follicle tests.
These are just the most commonly used types of drug testing. You can also find hair follicle tests that can detect amphetamines, ecstasy, methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates and phencyclidine (PCP). Other methods include breathalyzer tests, saliva tests, and sweat patches.
2. What Does A Drug Test Involve?
Before you apply for employment in any company that uses drug tests, you must be aware of how the process goes. Most of the time, the first step is to make sure that you are free from all illegal substances in your system by undergoing a pre-employment screening.
This usually involves taking a physical examination, medical history, and/or drug screening. The next step would be to undergo a series of tests that will determine the best drug testing method you should go for.
After this, you will receive instructions about how to take the test. Then, you will be given a date and time to go back to the office and submit the samples. Finally, you will get a report stating whether you failed or passed the test.
3. How Do Employers Use The Results?
Once you pass the drug test, you will be officially hired into the company. But, that doesn’t mean you can start doing whatever you want. Employers usually place restrictions on what you can and cannot do once you are employed with them.
For example, some employers ask their employees to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages or doing any sort of drugs for 12 hours after they have finished performing a shift. If they fail to follow these rules, then they could be fired.
Some employers may also request their employees to undergo random drug tests. If they find any substance in their systems, they will immediately suspend them until they clear it up.
Employees who are suspected of being involved in criminal activities, such as theft, fraud or embezzlement, may be asked to undergo polygraph examinations or lie detector tests to verify their statements. Polygraph tests are not 100% accurate, but they can give employers a good idea of whether or not the person being tested is telling the truth. The test measures things like heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. It is important to remember that polygraph tests are not always accurate. Click to read more option is available on various websites.
4. What Are The Penalties For Not Complying With The Rules?
A person who fails to abide by the rules set by his or her employer risks getting blacklisted. In addition to losing the job, he or she might also face legal consequences too.
Most employers require their employees to sign agreements that state that they won’t violate any of the policies. Failure to comply with the conditions mentioned in the agreement can lead to termination of employment. Employers may also require their employees to sign non-compete clauses.
These agreements usually include a provision that states that the workers agree to stop working for any competitor of the company within a certain period of time.
In addition to this, many companies also impose fines on their employees for failing to adhere to the agreed terms. For instance, an employee who has signed an agreement promising not to drink alcohol and breaks this promise can be fined $500 per incident. Similarly, someone found to be under the influence of drugs during work hours, even though he or she had consumed alcohol earlier, can also be fined $500.
It is important to note that although the penalties for breaking these rules are pretty harsh, they are still less serious than the ones for committing crimes. So, if you are looking for a job in a company that conducts drug tests, you must be prepared for the possibility of facing some unpleasantness if you break the rules.
