Employers in the State of Louisiana can choose to be part of the Drug Free Workplace Program. By joining the Louisiana drug testing program, employers have to make sure that screening on their employees is carried out according to state and federal laws. There are several types of trace chemicals of abuse that are supposed to be tested in employees. They include amphetamines, phencyclidine, opioids, cocaine and marijuana. The employer may decide to perform tests on the use of other drugs or alcohol substances.
One important factor to note is that employers have the option of choosing whether or not to mandate these testing. Any employer that chooses to be part of the Drug Free Workplace Program, then their screening procedures must go hand in hand with the State and Federal laws. The laws exempt public and private employers from mandatory federal testing programs.
The written policy is supposed to show and guide employees on the required standards and procedures regarding chemical screening at their workplace. There is nothing in the laws that prevent the employer from writing and displaying a policy that enhances and embraces a drug free environment at the workplace.
Even the fact that a specimen may be doubted will require an eyewitness. Public employers are required by law to publish a written policy entrenching the rules governing pre-employment and employment scrutiny. Allowed tests in the policy include screening on reason suspicion, random screening and exposing individuals to tests slated for high and sensitive positions.
The law in Louisiana requires public employers to publish a written policy for both pre-employment and employment screening. The policy must comply with the Executive Order. The Order has provisions that allow for different reasons that warrant tests to be carried out. Some of the reasons include, random tests, pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, pre-promotion to sensitive positions.
The costs of these processes are exclusively payable by the employer as the law demands. Nonetheless, provisions have been made which give the employer the right to withhold the amount equal to the cost of pre-employment tests from the wages of the employee if the employee resigns before 90 days expire from his first day of work.
Due to the sensitive nature of their work, school bus drivers are required to take the tests in the State of Louisiana. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the College of American Pathologists (CAP), are the two certified laboratories that validate all substance tests. Employers may opt to take employees who test positive to a rehabilitation program without terminating their services. Employers may also claim a tax credit which is equal to 5% of the total cost they may incur during the rehab of an employee for treatment of addiction.
There are various types of chemical substances that are eligible for employee screening. They include marijuana, cocaine, PCP, opioids among others. The employer has the right to perform tests on other types of substances. The Louisiana drug testing has provisions for who must test, the kind of substances to be tested and the degree of noncompliance.
Employers have the option to choose Louisiana drug testing if they want to. Take a peak at mobile drug testing now and see what you think.