what constitutes reasonable cause drug testing?

October 7th 2020

Reasonable cause drug testing is rarely used. We assume our employees are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work.  We assume their behaviour is consistent, day after day.  We assume their judgement is sound. 

But what if our assumptions are incorrect? 

That is exactly when you’d rely on a policy permitting reasonable cause drug testing.

There are a range of actions, behaviours, and appearance that may raise suspicion that an employee is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs including:

• absences often on Monday, Friday
• emotional signs – outbursts, anger, aggression
• changes in personality
• changes in alertness – difficulty with attention span
• involvement in various minor accidents
• slurred speech
• violent behaviour
• reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and co-ordination

Any and all of these behaviours can pose a health & safety risk.

We strongly recommend you front foot this one, and have a reasonable cause drug testing policy in place, even when you hope to never use it!