Nine Out Of 10 Employers Conduct Drug Testing — Or Plan To

Survey finds drug testing becoming even larger part of workplace culture

 (PETALUMA, CALIF., August 29, 2001)In the near future, 88 percent of employers will be conducting drug and/or alcohol testing, according to a recent survey of 4,000 human resource (HR) professionals by KnowledgePoint. Sixty-two percent responded that their firms are already conducting such tests, and a hefty 26 percent said they also plan to do so in the future.

Workforce drug testing has become a $5.9 billion industry and, with most employers spending up to $50 a year per employee, it’s no wonder. But HR managers seem to feel the costs are justified. Higher-quality job applicants, reduced drug use among employees, reduced workplace accidents and improved attendance were cited by respondents as being the most important benefits of testing.

"Employers are under a lot of pressure to reduce hiring and operational risks," says Ian Alexander, president of KnowledgePoint. "But if drug testing is now the standard, companies need to have a policy that is fair to employees and a program that has the best chance of accomplishing their objectives."

To assist employers in developing and implementing drug testing policies and programs, HRTools.com (http://www.hrtools.com) now offers a comprehensive "Drug and Alcohol Testing Toolkit," which includes all the eTools, forms, checklists and training resources needed to create and implement a drug testing program. In addition, HRTools.com has partnered with Labwire™ to provide organizations with convenient Web-based drug testing information management services.

"Just as technology can help identify high-risk employees, technology is also quickly improving employers’ ability to manage their workforce," says Alexander. "HRTools.com uses technology to deliver the latest management tools and information to employers when they need it."

KnowledgePoint conducted this survey of 4,125 human resource professionals in August, 2001; 364 (9%) responded. For additional survey results, please go to: http://www.knowledgepoint.com/coinfo/survey_8-2001.html.

About KnowledgePoint and HRTools.com

Since 1987, KnowledgePoint (a division of CCH INCORPORATED) has been a developer of knowledge-based human resource management software and Internet services. HRTools.com is the complete destination site for HR professionals and managers, bringing together KnowledgePoint’s innovative online applications with CCH’s authoritative HR and employment law content. For more information, visit http://www.hrtools.com, http://www.knowledgepoint.com, http://www.cch.com.

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