b'YOUR TOOLKIT FOR BUILDING EXCELLENCEchanges, but why you initially started your program.objectives. You may select to test some, all or none After youve thought through all your objectives (e.g.,of the drugs of abuse, e.g., heroin, methamphetamine, finding employees, keeping your current employees,marijuana or cocaine, etc.maintaining safety, keeping contracts, stayingAll these options boil down to the fact that the testing competitive), you need to identify your priorities.aspect of a drug-free workplace program resides on Rank ordering them allows you to work toward aa spectrum, and your options range from not testing solution that balances all your objectives. anyone for a substance to testing everyone for every The right balance substance. How you combine the myriad of variables For many employers, the pivotal issue with a drug-freeto meet your objectives is at the heart of how you workplace program comes down to testing. It is thecustomize your program. For example, some options accountability factor in a good program. Fortunately,include:many aspects of testing can be customized to balance adjusting when and who is testedyour needs (e.g., how much do you proactively test change the methods of testing, e.g., switch from and look for issues vs. only responding reactively vs.urine testing to oral fluids or a situationally deciding not to test at all): specific combination of the twoWhen you test: Among the various categories only test for marijuana in some instances and some of drug tests, you have proactive tests, e.g., pre- positionsemployment, new hire and random testing, andWhen it comes to making program changes, there are reactive tests, e.g., post-accident and reasonableadditional tangential considerations. For example, in suspicion. Each test has rules around when and whyconsidering the various approaches to testing, if the the tests are done. Unless required by an authorityhope is that the decision will aid in the hiring process, to conduct specific types of tests, you are free toyou also need to determine if and how you will convey choose the types of tests your program conducts.this information to candidates:Additionally, there are many options within the operational rules for each testing application. WithIf, in an attempt to broaden the pool of prospective slight adjustments in how you drug test, you couldcandidates, you decide not to test for marijuana, is this maintain an emphasis on safety while not over-testing. something you will announce during the recruitment How you test: There are different testingprocess, e.g., announce in the job posting, share methodologies to choose from, e.g., oral, urine andduring the interview?hair testing. Each method has a specific window ofIf you arent comfortable announcing your policy detection and will provide different information aboutchange to recruits, how come?an individuals substance use. And specific testingEven if you decide not to share your drug testing methodologies are better suited for different situationsapproach with candidates during the recruitment or objectives. For example, oral fluid testing has aprocess, you still need to consider the objectives short detection window, tending to identify recentyou are targeting. Are you desiring a larger pool use (e.g., within a few hours to a few days), whileof candidates?Are you avoiding the fall-off of hair testing will detect use that happened over a fewcandidates who go through the interview process but months, potentially demonstrating a pattern. ghost you when it is time for the pre-employment Who you test: Different testing applications cantest?There are pros and cons to either of these be applied to different groups of employees, e.g., allobjectives i.e., higher expenditure of resources for employees, safety-sensitive roles, only employeesthe recruitment process, the higher possibility of working jobs that require testing such as those onabsorbing an employee at risk.Every decision is a a state job in Ohio, to meet your desired objectives. balancing exercise.What you test for: While there are standardIts more than just testingpanels (the selection of drugs) for testing, if youAs you examine how your drug-free workplace arent answering to an authority, you can choose theprogram helps you accomplish your objectives, substance(s) you test for. Ultimately, you can test forremember that drug testing is just one element of a variety of drugs depending upon your programyour program. Other program components can alsoFRAME BUILDER - MAY2022 / 15'