Why Random Drug Screening Should Extend to Non-Regulated Employees

In some of our most recent additions to the Optimizing Driver Hiring and Compliance blog series, we focused heavily on regulated employee populations. These roles often receive the most attention due to the potential for government enforcement and costly verdicts. However, regulated employees aren't the only group where proactive safety measures can make a significant impact.

Each year, US employers lose approximately $150 billion and over 75 million workdaysdue to workplace accidents and injuries - some of which is preventable. A well-structured drug and alcohol screening program, especially for non-regulated employees, can be a powerful tool in potential mitigation of these types of risks and helping you meet your overall workplace safety initiatives.

Let's explore how your transportation company can implement random drug screening for your non-regulated employees.

Start with Policy: Review Before You Revise

Before implementing or expanding any screening program, it's important to review your current workplace policies. Ensuring your policies are up-to-date and legally compliant will help align your program with organizational goals and reduce the risk of legal complications.

Key areas to review include:

• State and local laws regarding drug screening
• Employee consent and privacy protections
• Clear definitions of testing triggers (e.g., random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion)
• Procedures for handling positive results

A well-documented policy not only helps protect your organization but also builds trust with employees by ensuring transparency and fairness.

Why Random Drug Screening is Effective - Especially for Non-Regulated Employees

Random drug screening is one of the most effective deterrents against substance use in the workplace. While positivity rates in random programs are typically low, this is actually a sign of success - the unpredictability of screening discourages use in the first place.

Extending random screening to your non-regulated workforce can yield measurable benefits, including:

• Deters drug and alcohol use
• Reduces absenteeism and tardiness
• Increases productivity and morale
• Lowers employer liability and insurance costs
• Reduces healthcare expenses
• Creates a safer, more accountable workplace

These benefits are especially important in industries where employees operate vehicles, machinery, or perform physically demanding tasks - even if they're not subject to DOT regulations.

Building a Strong Random Screening Program

To ensure your program is effective and fair, consider the following industry best practices:

• Use a scientifically valid selection method (e.g., computer-generated randomization)
• Keep screening unannounced and evenly distributed throughout the year
• Require immediate screening once an employee is notified
• Accommodate all shifts, including third shift, with accessible collection options
• Maintain thorough documentation of all screening activities and results

Additionally, be sure to clearly communicate the purpose and process of the random testing to your employees. Education and transparency can help reduce resistance and foster a culture of safety and accountability.

Balancing Cost and Impact

A successful program doesn't have to be expensive. The key is finding the right screening percentage - high enough to maintain visibility and deterrence, but low enough to avoid operational disruption. Many employers find that annually screening 15%-25% of their workforce strikes the right balance.

To further reduce costs and improve efficiency, consider:

• Instant drug test kits: Provide immediate results and can be lab-confirmed if needed
• Oral fluid screening (e.g., OralTox): Quick, tamper-resistant, and easy to administer onsite
• Lab-based oral fluid screening: Self-collected, observed by supervisors, with fast turnaround and reliability comparable to urine screening

As federal regulations evolve to include oral fluid screening for DOT-regulated employees, more collection providers will be trained to support these methods, increasing flexibility for employers and reducing logistical barriers.

Don't Overlook Your Third-Shift Employees

Screening third-shift employees - especially in post-accident or reasonable suspicion scenarios - presents unique challenges:

• Limited clinic hours
• Long wait times
• High after-hours service costs
• Uncertainty among managers about proper procedures

Despite these hurdles, your third-shift employees face the same risks as your daytime staff. In fact, fatigue and isolation can increase the likelihood of substance use or accidents during overnight hours.

Instant oral fluid screening options are particularly well-suited for overnight operations, offering fast, reliable results without the logistical headaches of transporting employees to off-site clinics.

Your Next Step to a Resilient Workplace

According to data from Recovery Centers of America, employees who test positive for drug and alcohol use are 10 to 60 percent less productive than persons who test negative. A well-designed drug and alcohol screening strategy is one of the most effective ways to:

• Protect your workforce
• Reduce liability
• Improve productivity
• Foster a culture of safety and accountability

By extending random screening to non-regulated employees, organizations can take a proactive step toward creating a safer and more resilient work environment.

Learn more about our DOT and non-DOT background screening services.