Why Do Companies Use Worker Hair Drug Tests?

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Why Do Companies Use Worker Hair Drug Tests?

Workplace drug testing is a stressful time for any worker, regardless of what substances they have or haven’t used. There are three forms of workplace drug testing that employees need to be aware of. There are planned, mandatory tests where officials come in and test everyone at the company. This could be an essential policy in places where drug use could have a massive effect on performance or the reputation of the company. Some may also use random testing to target individuals without much warning. Then, there are compulsory tests for drug use during the hiring process. It may be essential to pass this to get the job.

Each form of testing is controversial because of the implications for workers. Many rightly see it as an invasion of privacy, especially if legal substances show up and affect their work record. So, why are companies so keen to use hair drug testing, and is it possible to learn how to pass a hair follicle test?

Why Do Companies Use Hair Drug Testing?

The hair follicle test is a popular option for these drug tests because it is so easy to administer. The testers will come in and take strands of hair painlessly, without cutting out noticeable sections, and send them off to the lab. Also, testers aren’t left waiting for workers to urinate into a sample container, and they can be much more certain the sample isn’t contaminated. Urine tests have their place in random testing because they are so effective for recent use, but they aren’t ideal.

Hair drug tests are also popular because of the number of substances the test can detect and the long time frame for detection. Many substances stay within the hair for a lot longer than you expect. One hair strand can offer up a timeline of substance use from the past three months. This is great for companies that want to detect regular users. It also helps ensure that workers don’t go undetected by abstaining from drug use in the days leading up to the test. Cannabis is one substance that companies often test for. They don’t want productivity and reliability to drop because of any weed-based impairments. Additionally, the tests can pick up traces of amphetamines, prescription medication, opiates, and cocaine.

The Problem With Hair Drug Testing

It’s easy to see why companies are so keen to use hair drug testing as a means of catching out drug offenders. The problem is that the results from one of these tests don’t always tell the whole story. We also don’t know what the company will do with the information once they have it. With both compulsory drug testing before a job and random testing, it’s possible signs of recent drug use could lead to termination. Employees who come across as unreliable due to dependency issues may seem like a liability.

The three-month time frame for detections raises a massive red flag, however. This could see workers unfairly targeted for old habits or legal actions. For example, what if that worker quit substance use two months ago and is doing well and hasn’t told anyone? What if that result comes up positive? Or what if a new hire moved to the state from somewhere with legal cannabis, and it’s still in their system? How will the company handle that?

Furthermore, there are concerns about false positives from other influences. An example here is that poppy seeds can trigger a positive response to opioids. This doesn’t mean employers are going to immediately assume that a person is addicted to painkillers, but it could lead to some awkward questions.

Can Companies Test For Cannabis Where It Is Legal?

This issue of legal cannabis and drug testing raises some critical questions about the rights of employees. There are still states where all cannabis use is prohibited, so positive results here can easily lead to termination. Still, many states that don’t allow recreational use do have laws allowing medicinal use. Workers should have the opportunity to explain themselves and not face discrimination in these cases. This still raises questions about the ethical side of drug testing and a worker’s right to privacy.

The same goes for states with legal recreational cannabis. Companies can still use drug testing to detect other illegal substances, and they can’t discriminate against users. Yet, smokers are going to wonder what happens to that information about their drug use and if it affects the company’s perception of their character and work. They could be the most reliable, productive, and punctual member of staff, but old prejudices could rear their ugly head.

How To Pass This Hair Drug Test

There will be workers and new hires who are likely to test positive for cannabis use on a hair test for one reason or another. Whether you’ve used illegal weed in the last three months, use legal forms regularly, or deliberately stopped using any in that time frame, it can show up. While there’s no shame in testing positive for legal use, we don’t always want companies to know about it. So, it helps to learn how to pass a hair follicle test. Shaving your head isn’t going to get you out of a planned test. They’ll see through it and take some body hair instead. Bleaching and coloring the hair only goes so far, too. The best option is to get a particular shampoo or create your own mix that strips the chemicals out of the follicles.

Hair Drug Testing Is Problematic But Beatable

The most important things to remember about these tests are that there is a chance to pass hair follicle testing with the right hair treatment and that you do have rights as an employee if you haven’t broken the rules. If you’re worried about illegal drug use showing up, you can do your best to strip the hair to avoid detection. However, don’t worry about legal drugs showing up if you know they aren’t affecting your work. Explain their presence, and don’t let a company make you feel bad for your choices. Comply with the tests and know your rights.