re: Workplace Drug Testing - Has Your Work Stopped?

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Is anyone changing testing policy with the increase in CBD availability and the fact that it stays in your system so long? THC levels could be increase for weeks after. We lost at least two candidates for employment due to failed testing but things are changing. How is this stuff effecting policy?

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I modified our policy somewhat, or as much as I could within my insurance and state requirements.

I have to have a clean sample no matter what for new hires. That's non-negotiable from my insurance as well as the TN Drug Free program we are required to adhere to.

I also have to have a clean sample for accidents. That again is non-negotiable from my insurance as well as the TN Drug Free program. I've explained to my guys that's how it goes and there isn't much I can do about it. Kind if sucks that if you smoke a joint on Friday night but get in an accident next week that workers comp can refuse you, but it is what it is.

We still have quarterly random tests, but marijuana is no longer an immediate termination. Every other drug is an immediate termination. Insurance requires me to have some sort of punishment for marijuana, so I dock a day of vacation and require a retest in 30 days at the employee's expense. If you fail that one, then you get another day docked and a retest again in 30 days. This repeats until 90 days, at which point you may face punishment "up to termination." I basically left it open ended.

I explain it to my guys that I don't give a shite what they do on their off time, but you're sober on company time. We work with a dangerous product that will kill you in a heartbeat. I also tell them what you do on your own time can have consequences if you're injured on company time. You're an adult and able to take that risk, if you want.