Workplace drug testing is a headache for everyone involved. Employers would rather not deal with the hassle and cost of bringing in testers, and workers don’t want to endure any invasion of their privacy.

Even so, these drug tests are a necessity in many industries. So, why are they so important, and what are the four most common methods in workplace drug testing?

Why Are Employees Subjected to Workplace Drug Testing?

There are typically three forms of workplace testing. Some companies will require new hires to go through the process before being accepted into the role. This lets employers see if there’s any reason to be concerned about substance use.

The presence of illegal drugs is a big red flag about the reliability of a candidate. They will also want to be aware of any opioid or legal cannabis use that could influence a worker’s abilities.

Then, there are also mandatory and random tests for workers to catch those working under the influence. Again, it’s important that companies can trust their workers to be sober and unimpaired at all times – especially those working with dangerous equipment.

Finally, there are immediate drug tests for legal reasons. On-site accidents with machinery or other equipment could lead to lawsuits from injured workers or clients. Companies can use drug testing to see if the operator was under the influence at the time.

Now we know why it’s so important for workplaces to ask employees to get tested, let’s look at the different ways you may be asked to give a sample. Some of these are more common than others, and they all have their pros and cons. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the test.

The Four Different Workplace Drug Testing Methods

1. Urine Testing

This is still the most common form of workplace drug testing in America. The concept is pretty simple, and enough labs will run the tests at a fair cost to the employer. All workers have to do is provide a urine sample in the given container, and that’s then sent away for analysis.

Technicians will run the sample through a panel to test for a series of substances. This includes cannabis, opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and prescription medication. Many companies favor this approach because it is a pretty reliable way of detecting recent drug use.

Compounds of the drugs mentioned can show up for between 5 to 10 days after use. This makes it effective for companies that want to be sure their workers aren’t taking hard drugs on the weekend and are potentially still impaired.

Although urine testing is the most common approach, it isn’t flawless. One concern is the potential for samples to be tampered with. Unless testers physically see participants produce the sample, which would be a massive breach of privacy and ethics, they can’t be 100% sure it isn’t someone else.

Also, the 10-day window is too short to highlight serious drug dependency. One questionable choice in a worker’s spare time doesn’t mean they are an addict or a danger.

Furthermore, there are false positive results from other influences. Anyone who knows they have a test coming up is advised to avoid poppy seeds because they can trigger positive opioid results.

2. Hair Testing

Because urine testing isn’t ideal for accurate results and profiling drug use over time, companies may need an alternative. Hair testing is a common solution because of its long detection period and the ability to swap samples.

Testers will physically remove strands of hair from the participant and send those to the lab instead. They’re cut sporadically, so the removal isn’t noticeable, and they can take several strands to be sure. Workers without hair on their heads can provide body hair instead.

These hair strands can hold onto traces of drugs for months, and test results can give a strong indication of the levels of drugs presence. This makes it easier for companies to see if workers have a history of drug use or use various forms over three months.

The problem for workers is that there is a deeper sense of an invasion of privacy, especially new hires. For example, there are concerns about testing for cannabis use because of the differences in state laws.

What happens when a user of legal marijuana in one state works for a company in another state where it’s banned? Traces from 3 months ago aren’t illegal but could impact their position with the company.

That’s why many people learn how to pass a hair follicle test and strip their hair before testing. Resources such as WRAP EDMS’s guide can offer advice on the best products to use.

3. Salvia Testing

Saliva has a more specific place in workplace drug testing. These oral fluid tests can highlight drug use from the past 48 hours. While this makes it less effective than urine testing in some ways, it is a great way to handle immediate issues.

For example, testers can get a sample directly after a workplace accident to see if substance abuse is a factor. It is also a possible alternative to urine samples when workers are unwilling or unable to provide one. This can bypass the concern over tampered samples, although it might not detect as much.

4. Blood Testing

There is also the option of blood testing, but this is much rarer. Workers aren’t going to like this option because it is so invasive, especially those with an aversion to blood or needles.

Employers aren’t in favor of them either because of the shorter detection period and high cost. They’re only useful within a matter of hours. However, they are also highly accurate, so they will help with workplace incidents and legal issues.

Be Prepared for Workplace Drug Testing

Companies won’t employ these drug testing methods unless necessary for workplace safety and brand reputation. Still, it pays to be aware of what to expect and to prepare in advance. You can learn how to pass a hair follicle test, but the rest aren’t so easy.