The following questions often arise as companies consider whether and how to implement a corporate drug and alcohol test policy:

1.    How should my company handle random testing? Each company should design its random testing to suit its needs; i.e. balance costs and work interruption against the need to monitor and enforce the policy.  The company must decide how often it will test, and how it will select employees for testing.

Companies often struggle with whether their drug and alcohol test policy should include random testing, suspicion-based testing, or both.  Private entities may enact and enforce drug testing policies, including “suspicionless” or random drug testing for its employees. Government or public agencies may not.  This has been a “hot button” in recent drug testing cases.

Putting a corporate drug and alcohol testing policy in place takes a few careful steps to permit regular enforcement.  Like any policy, the company’s drug and alcohol policy should be given in writing to all employees.  The employees should sign a written acknowledgment that they have received and understood the policy, and a consent form.  The company may wish to make execution of the consent form a condition of being hired and/or continued employment.

Drafting and using a viable drug and alcohol test policy is often overlooked in the corporate setting.  Professional service providers, sales companies, technology consultants – these may not seem like the traditional corporate entities that use drug and alcohol testing policies.  But they should.  Putting a drug and alcohol testing policy in place does not mean you believe your employees abuse drugs or alcohol, but it can help protect the company if drugs or alcohol become a problem.

Proper drug and alcohol test policies include several key elements: