In the state of Washington, employers have no limits on drug screening. They can request drug testing at the start of employment, in the event of an accident or incident, or as part of a random drug testing program. Drug testing centers throughout Washington, including cities such as Aberdeen, Bellevue, Chehalis, Everett, Olympia, and many more, use a variety of methods to screen employees for drugs and alcohol. A medical review officer (MRO) in Washington can use hair drug testing, oral drug testing, and urine drug testing to screen employees.
If you’d like to find drug screening centers near you or request immediate drug testing, give us a call now at 1-866-843-4545.
When is drug screening required in Washington?
In Washington, drug testing is most often required by employers. However, there are a variety of other situations where drug screening is necessary. A drug screening may be required by a court-ordered program, or for persons on probation or involved in certain legal cases. Parents are sometimes asked to do a drug test in divorce cases and during child custody battles. At Washington colleges and universities, drug testing may be necessary to gain admittance or perform in athletic programs.
Benefits of a drug-free workplace in Washington, in data collected between 1994 and 2000, the Washington state department of Labor and Industries found that employee drug use had a significant impact on accidents and injuries in the workplace. As a preventative measure, the Washington legislature passed the Washington drug-free discount act in 1996, thereby establishing the Washington drug-free workplace program. This program gave employers a 5-percent discount on worker’s compensation premiums for three years after their enrollment date.
Unfortunately, the program was discontinued in 2001, but it served as a model for the federal drug-free workplace program, which is widely used by employers all over the united states. Benefits for employers include a 5-percent discount on worker’s compensation premiums and a significant reduction in workplace accidents and incidents. If you’d like to set up your own drug-free workplace program, call National Drug Screening today.
What should be in your drug screening policy?
If you are thinking of implementing a drug testing policy in your workplace, you need to have a solid plan. The mission statement most employers adhere to is that the drug testing policy is meant to enhance employee safety and work quality. Your drug-free policy should outline the following:
- What constitutes a violation: many employers go with a zero-tolerance policy. that is, any positive result on a drug test is grounds for termination. however, in the state of Washington, medical marijuana use is legal. Some Washington employers elect to exempt employees with proof of a prescription from positive marijuana tests.
- What actions will be taken against positive drug tests: this could take the form of anything from disciplinary leave to termination. whatever you decide, it should be fully detailed in your policy so there is no confusion.
- Will the employer pay for rehabilitation? many employers do not offer rehabilitation services to their employees. however, if your company can afford it, it is a valuable benefit.
Drug screening services in Washington National Drug Screening can help you find a wide variety of drug screening centers throughout the state of Washington. We offer you many drug screening solutions, including immediate testing, onsite testing, random screenings, and drug screening services compliant with the Department of Transportation and U.S. Coast Guard regulations. Our tests can screen for a variety of drugs, including amphetamines, opiates, marijuana, barbiturates, ketamine, antidepressants, antihistamines, stimulants, and more. We also offer breath alcohol testing. All tests are reviewed by one of our medical review officers, and you can have results by the next business day.
Washington has medical and recreational marijuana laws. So people in Washington are smoking pot. Washington State’s Initiative 502 legalizes recreational marijuana. However, this initiative does not contain any provisions concerning marijuana possession or use by employees. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an employer can prohibit the illegal use of drugs (including marijuana). Employers are not required to accommodate an employee’s current use of illegal drugs, including marijuana.
A well-written drug-free workplace policy is critical to reducing exposure to liability. Employers can still implement zero-tolerance policies. Drug testing should be done strictly according to state and federal laws. It is extremely important for employers to educate employees regarding their legal rights regarding using marijuana versus employer policies and employers’ expectations regarding marijuana use.
Where can you find drug testing centers in Washington?
Drug testing locations can be found all over Washington. Drug-Free Business, Federal Way, Olympia, Mount Vernon, Puyallup, Seattle, Renton, Spokane, Vancouver, Tacoma, and Yakima are just a few of nearly 200 locations. If you have any questions about drug testing in Washington, please give National Drug Screening a call at 1-866-843-4545.
Drug testing and alcohol testing in Washington
For drug testing in Washington for employers call now: 866-843-4545
For drug testing in Washington for Individuals for immediate testing, call now: 866-843-4545
