High quality, accurate, non-invasive on-site random drug tests, such as those provided to countless clients by Drug Testing Kits UK, empower companies, organisations & institutions, to ensure that their employees remain free from illicit drug use in the workplace. Moreover, the workforce are deterred from abusing drugs. - The latter of which can not only cause serious workplace injuries & accidents, but also negatively affect the company's reputation & level of business
Did You Know?
If you start a random drug testing program at your company/organisation, it is imperative to implement it correctly; and ensure that it complies with all the UK's (or Southern Ireland's) regulations.
Advice From Gov.UK
Current advice states that: "Employers have to have consent if they want to test for drugs. Usually this is when they have a full contractual health and safety policy, which should be in the contract or staff handbook" [1]. Employers must:
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Limit testing to members of staff who need to be tested
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Make sure that the drug tests are random
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Ensure that they single out certain members of staff for testing "unless this is justified by the nature of their jobs, Workers can’t be made to take a drug test, but if they refuse when the employer has good grounds for testing, then they may face disciplinary action" [1]
Guidance From the Team at Drug Testing Kits UK
First and foremost, as leaders in workplace drug and alcohol testing, we are always abreast of new changes and amendments in mandatory regulations, so to that end, our health science writer provides regular referenced blogs on the current regulations that concern companies, organisations, institutions, and health centres, our website. - These are written in easy-to-understand layman's terms, without all the complicated jargon. Many companies have thanked us for this guidance, and all our regular clients across the length and breath of the UK and Southern Ireland, know that our team of advisors are just a phone call or message away, whenever they have a concern, query, or need advice about the types of drug and alcohol testing kits that are the best fit for their company/organisation; as well as the most economical way to go about ordering the Drug Testing Kits UK, all of which can be easily administered by a designated member of staff (no medic is required).
What Are the Benefits of Introducing Random Drug Testing?
Research indicates that initiating random on-site drug testing in the workplace, positively impacts businesses' and organisation's operations. - Moreover, this is not only from an important health and safety perspective, as it also encourages greater productivity, and raises staff morale, and the belief that their employer is maintaining a safe working environment.
Implementation
While it has to be acknowledged that there could be a slight disruption when random drug testing is first introduced, (that is to say, a number of employees may be called away for 15 minutes or so, to be tested; once a workable system has been introduced, then everything should run like clockwork. To that end, supervisors and managers need to be forewarned that random multiple drug testing can be announced to their department without warning, and provisions should be made for the process to run smoothly as staff leave their posts for this short amount of time. Note: not all the employees who are selected from the same department should attend the designated drug testing room at the same time. - The times should be staggered, so that there is a minimum of disruption.
Here at Drug Testing Kits UK, we recommend that random drug testing at least 10 percent of the workforce, should be made quarterly, or at least twice a year, with a higher degree of random drug testing being carried out on employees who are in safety critical roles; as well as on suspect individuals (who look/act as though they may be abusing illegal or legal drugs), as and when necessary. This testing is very easy to implement, as all our on-site premium quality drug testing kits have a long shelf life, and can be kept in a normal cupboard due to their specially sealed packaging (in small boxes which take up very little space). Furthermore, any trusted member of staff can administer the cutting-edge tests, all of which are super simple to use, and provide clearly displayed results, be they positive or negative.
We would also like to note that our vast experience here at Drug Testing Kits UK, has shown us that choosing random employees is best achieved by using randomisation software. Moreover, we would like to stress that you should hold comprehensive records of each selection, as well as the multiple drug test results for all those tested.
Meeting UK Regulatory Standards
Random drug testing is not effective if it does not abide by regulatory standards or achieve best practices. Our Drug Testing Kits UK's advisory team recommend that when you instigate a random drug or alcohol testing program, you:
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Only use true random selection
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Strictly limit the period of time between notifying employees and testing them
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Always keep a detailed record of associated documentation
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Modify drug and alcohol testing inline with your industry
How Employers Should Notify Staff About a Random Drug Test
The utmost discretion should be used when notifying an employee about taking a random drug test; and all procedures should be inline with your company policy (for example, providing a private testing room, and enabling the employee to see the test administrator unpack the sealed Drug Testing Kit UK's saliva or urine test (both of which are of the highest quality and accuracy, and approved for use in the UK).
Moreover, in a drive to maintain an element of surprise, and keep matters confidential: only a limited number of individuals should be given access to the names of those who have been selected for testing. To that end, companies, organisations and institutions, are advised to employ best practices and procedures, thereby ensuring that members of staff do not have any advance warning of their random selection.
Reference
[1]. Gov.co.uk (2023). "Being monitored at work: workers' rights."
https://www.gov.uk/monitoring-work-workers-rights/drug-testing
