The effects of drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace is estimated to cost New Zealand employers $1.65 Billion through absenteeism and presenteeism and $3 billion due to illness/injuries.
Through understanding the negative effects of drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace, employers can build a healthier workforce and a healthier bottom line.
Reasons For Drug & Alcohol Testing In The Workplace
Create a Safer Workplace
Companies with drug testing programs have experienced a 51% reduction in incident rates within 2 years of implementation.
Create a more Stable Workplace
Employees who are illicit drug users are more than twice as likely, as those who are not, to frequently change employers.
Reduced costs
Drug and alcohol testing programs at the workplace can lower costs associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, staff turnover and recruitment, and workplace incidents and injuries. Programs have shown a benefit-cost ratio ranging from 15:1 to 26:1.
What Does Workplace Drug & Alcohol Testing Involve?
At Employ Health, we offer two types of instant drug tests – urine or saliva.
Our testing is carried out in accordance with the AS/NZS 4308:2008 and AS 4760:2019.
Both modalities will screen for six classes of drugs including:
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Opiates
- Benzodiazepines
Types Of Workplace Drug & Alcohol Testing
Fitness For Work
Working under the influence can pose significant risk to the safety of employees in some industries particularly when heavy machinery is in use. Drug and alcohol screening prior to employment or prior to beginning work can ensure that employees do not have any substances in their system and are fit for work.
On-Site Testing (Random)
Random testing occurs on an unpredictable basis where each person in the workplace has an equal chance of being tested. This strategy is useful in deterring employees from using alcohol or drugs whilst at work as notice is not provided.
Why Employ Health?
- Easy and convenient. Employ Health carries out testing at your workplace to minimise travel time for employees and lost productivity.
- Instant results. Results are obtained within minutes and Employ Health can generate reports on the same day.
Other Workplace Screening Tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Alcohol abuse imposes significant burdens on the workplace including:
- Increased likelihood of workplace incidents and injuries
- increased healthcare costs
- Increased turnover
- Reduced productivity
- Reduced job performance
- Development of a poor culture due to inappropriate behaviours towards other employees.
Workplace drug testing is not mandatory in most industries. In some industries, for example, construction and transport, it may be mandatory for employees to be tested when carrying out government projects.
It is legal for employers to test their employees for the presence of drugs and alcohol in their system to improve workplace safety.
In the event of a non-negative result, the sample will need to be sent to an accredited laboratory for confirmatory testing.