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EMPLOYEE SCREENING & TESTING n ,a ment is n imple- n i . c e 4Th n s e a em w w h h m i s e a mploy- n c n . s tion site for sample collection. Employers might even consider looking into mobile collection services. Employees can also be required to report to work on-site for the purpose of oral fluid collection for drug testing. e ew e o wn n t i w o t ) , a n n , c n o or f g ( c rm e o c m r e m 4 o 5 p e r a a l n d l. c m .A i e r u A n n r g t r r o o a l s c o ou e u n o e n n m p a t ) d dh s w i . The m m 4 . E c i ha p p l l a l t h e o o lf f o n t h en y y e e e e of n f U n h u s s e o U. um .S a mb , i , i s c s c S n ffi be . .e c c e e e d v i e d v i c r r o o o x x e ( l l a l l a o e e c cu 4 n ne b o b o ut r t r t 8 p e ep ti p r r i v ve u a l c u a l c u u a a t i t i e r r s sa rp c p o o o a e n n r re o o n os e l n n se . e w t e o ) lo n n , a o o e c t i e c t i of ok n ft ki d u th in v i v i he n e w g gt t y ( t y ( n w to a o oi or 5 5 s s rk in 7 p e 7 p e k i nv g n g n p p ve l la e e d E e d E ac s s r r c t t a - o - o e m ab b ft ft u us e e e s n m n m n i i n ng m m t i n o g e p p r g w l l k i e o o m mp a a j o j o y y n p e e o g r r r l lo r f r f r o s h s h k k p p y y a a o l a l a e e e c t c t es a a m h sw o o v v c c r i r i e m e m e d e d w o o o n a n a r u r u m r rk a a e a ki g t g t n n in n t b t b y o y o e e g gf s s n s t i t i f r r r r p p n n t r o om e a e a t i t i g i g i mh o o c c h h n ho s a t r t r o m m e q v e e a e e i a , a m m u i s s l b o o r e t t t l l a e t e e e e ap ps se o h m m o r es p p e si l l in o o p o nj e ju ud dg i a a d d a a g m n c o n f e r e n c e r o o m s w i t h e n h a n c a . l l t t e n t ) , c o m m u n a l s p a c e i n t h e o ffi c e ( 4 8 p e r c e n t ) , a n d u n s s i n s a v a i a b l e t o h e m i t i n g ( 4 5 p e r c e n t ) . e n t i n g w o r y y e e e e r t s s . E m n o a a collec- o w , a c c o r d i n g t o e e e Additionally, telehealth is available now for sample collection. Oral fluid testing kits can be sent to an employee. The employee can then log on to a videoconference platform for an observed collection of their sample. A trained observer monitors the col- lection, and the sample is then sent in for testing. Alternatively, a video recording of the collection can be reviewed at a later time to ensure collection accuracy. Employers will need to review and likely revamp their work- place drug testing policies to specifically address remote employ- ees. Firstly, employees working from home should be directly informed that they are subject to drug testing. Policies with rea- sonable suspicion testing should define ways that suspicion is to be determined in a remote work situation. Factors such as de- creased productivity, absenteeism, erratic work times, or signs of impairment observed on conference calls or video conferencing are some ways to include signs of impairment for off-site employ- ees. Policies might also address timelines that remote workers are required to adhere to for drug testing. Employers should always be sure to consult knowledgeable professionals in order to verify that any changes to their policies comply with state and federal law requirements. There may be limitations on testing methodologies, collections, and sample types, etc., that an employer will need to consider. Conclusion Working from home will be a significant part of the future of the workplace. Remote work will not eliminate the risks and costs of substance abuse, and employers will be well-served to take the time now to consider how to implement workplace drug testing most effectively with remote employees. Yvette Farnsworth Baker, Esq is a Senior Legal Consultant and director for all law-related services, including Current Consulting Group’s extensive compliance services. Yvette is a licensed attorney and member of the Florida Bar. As an expert in drug and alco- hol testing case law, Yvette regularly e w s f f c c i i l l l l b b e e d d t t o r k i n g r o m h o m e a n s t r e q u i r e t o r e p o r t Businesses are relying on technology to help connect workplace teams in the meantime. In 2020, Zoom had over 300 million meet- ing participants per day, Google Meets had over 100 million per day, and Microsoft Teams reported 75 million per day, and these num- bers have continued growing.7 As of 2022, Microsoft Teams report- ed 270 million users per day.8 And despite preferences for collabo- rating in person, 87 percent of remote employees report they feel more connected to their co-workers by using videoconferencing.9 The Future of Drug Testing with Remote Employees Employers can and should continue to implement drug testing policies even when employees work remotely. Beyond safety risks, substance-abusing employees cost employers in healthcare costs and higher insurance premiums, loss of productivity, absen- teeism, and turnover. Across all industries, the average cost per year of a substance-abusing employee is $7,000 in costs outside of workplace accidents.9 Substance abusers perform at only 67 percent of their potential – making them one-third less produc- tive than their non-substance-abusing co-workers.10 Employers should also be concerned about data security and company infor- mation privacy when considering the risks posed by substance- o π KEEP FACILITIES SAFE ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING 1-800-295-5510 uline.com 44 Occupational Health & Safety | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 www.ohsonline.com consults on issues involving state law and federal regulations in addi- tion to authoring articles for indus- try publications. She helps produce content for Current Compliance, the most comprehensive and up to date online database of state drug test- ing laws, including marijuana and workers’ compensation laws. This information is provided for educa- tional purposes only. Reader retains full responsibility for the use of the information contained herein. REFERENCES 1. tinyurl.com/bdeusdvn 2. tinyurl.com/mw73vu9k 3. tinyurl.com/2p8pjvn5 4. tinyurl.com/5cv3dzmj 5. tinyurl.com/5n8vvefn 6. tinyurl.com/4e5nh58e 7.tinyurl.com/y632yex2 8. tinyurl.com/3pjkw7wz 9. tinyurl.com/53k2put4 10. tinyurl.com/23ut348z