The most commonly used drug test for pre-employment is the urine test˳ It is inexpensive and can identify drugs that have been used in the last few days up to 30 days before the test is taken˳ The 5-panel drug test that is commonly used for this purpose checks for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, PCPs, and opiates˳
Urine tests can also detect other drugs if a 10-panel drug test is given˳ These can test for LSD, MDA, inhalants, methadone, propoxyphene, barbiturates, or alcohol, and more employers are beginning to use these for pre-employment screening rather than 5-panel tests˳ Employers who have already hired a worker may require a urine test for these drugs if they suspect drug use or if there has been an on-the-job accident˳
It is possible for a job applicant or current employee to fail a urine test because of taking over-the-counter drugs˳ These drugs can cause a false positive test result˳ Some of the commonly used drugs are Ibuprofen, Sudafed, Vicks 44, Ephedrine diet pills, and others˳ If there is any question about a positive test result, the testing company will contact the worker and find out if the person is taking any legally prescribed drugs that may have caused this reaction˳ Many drug testing facilities have a Medical Review Officer who is a physician who reviews the test results˳ This doctor often contacts those with positive test results˳ A second test could be performed on the second vial of urine that is saved just for this purpose˳ This second test is more expensive than the routine first urine test, but employers who are very interested in hiring an applicant or in keeping a good employee may want to invest in this testing˳ Sometimes workers or job applicants offer to pay for the second testing when they know that they have not used illegal drugs˳
Many large corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, require urine testing for pre-employment˳ It is becoming uncommon not to require it˳ Even small businesses are realizing the benefits of urine drug testing˳ It can prevent those who abuse drugs from working for a company, and it can eliminate drug abusers who are already hired˳ Many problems are prevented for employers who require urine drug testing˳ In fact, employers find that pre-employment drug testing eliminates employees who have drug problems, preventing the applicant’s problem from becoming the company’s problem˳
Urine drug testing is not expensive to do˳ It costs most small to medium companies anywhere from $50 to $80 per test, and typically the testing company will take care of the paperwork and follow up˳ When there is more volume of testing, those prices can be lower˳ The testing fee will be much less than the employer will have to pay for the problems that hiring a person with a drug problem could bring to the company˳ Right Management Survey found that “the replacement cost of a bad hire is up to three times the salary of the job in question˳”
According to the U˳S˳ Department of Labor, drug use costs businesses $75 to $100 billion dollars annually˳ Health care and workers compensation insurance costs are higher, there is more chance of an accident happening, and more time off work, not to even mention loss of productivity˳
Source by https://ezinearticles˳com/?Urine-Tests-For-Employment&id=5353807
