Even though oral fluid drug testing has been around for more than 2 decades, it appears that many employers are taking it seriously for the first time. For instance, in a 2023 survey of workforce drug testing providers, 87% reported offering oral fluid testing, compared to 39% in 2019. When asked what drug testing method will be most used in the future, 46% said oral fluid testing, in 2019, the same percentage indicated urine testing would be used most often.[1] Employers must manage an often-overwhelming number of benefits and vendor partnerships, so a streamlined solution can both save lead ..read more

As an employer, you are likely trying to balance the creation of a safe and productive workplace while also providing meaningful benefits for your employees—offerings that help keep them healthy and engaged at work—with minimizing spending. It’s not an easy task, especially today when employees have more stressors than ever before and it’s often a challenge to know the ROI on those benefits. Additionally, within your workforce, healthcare needs may vary greatly. Employers must manage an often-overwhelming number of benefits and vendor partnerships, so a streamlined solution can both save ..read more

In the dynamic landscape of workplace health, the integration of population health and workforce drug testing solutions marks a significant stride toward comprehensive employee well-being. Employers are facing steadily rising healthcare costs, with annual health plan increases of 9% to 10% predicted through 2026.1 These cost pressures are leading employers to rethink their benefit structures. Today’s employers are focused on how they can address healthcare costs while managing the wellness benefits employees want and providing the access to care they need. An estimated 70% of employers believ ..read more

As 2023 draws to an end, employers in California and Washington are facing important decisions on marijuana drug testing based on laws AB2188 (California) and SB5123 (Washington) which go into effect on January 1, 2024. These new laws will prohibit employers, in some instances, from taking adverse action against an employee or applicant based on marijuana drug testing results for “non-psychoactive metabolite(s)”. In California, the new law applies to both pre- and post-employment drug testing, whereas in Washington it only applies to pre-employment drug testing. “The good news is employers wh ..read more

The opioid epidemic continues to be a public health emergency. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paint a stark picture – the number of deaths from a drug overdose in 2021 was over 6 times the number in 1999. Overdose deaths increased by 16% from 2020-2021, and of the nearly 110,000 overdose deaths in 2021, over 75% of them can be attributed to opioids. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use for pain relief and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more poten ..read more

What can employers learn from the 2023 Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index (DTI)? Relying on data from this highly anticipated annual report, employers from both safety-sensitive and non—safety-sensitive workplaces should: Continue to conduct drug testing Conduct both pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing Include marijuana and amphetamines, among other substances, in their drug testing panels “The Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index is an invaluable source of great information about drug testing trends,” said Bill Current, President of the Current Consulting Group, a leading d ..read more

There may be 50 states, but there are literally hundreds of statutes, regulations, laboratory licensing requirements, and case law decisions that have a direct impact on workplace drug testing. Not every state has a drug testing law, but virtually every state has workers’ and unemployment compensation regulations that include drug testing language. And many states have case law on the books that plays a role in when and how workplace drug testing is conducted. What every employer should know about drug testing laws differs, but we cannot understate the importance of being fully aware of how st ..read more

When it comes to state drug testing laws, there seems to be no end to the questions employers will ask. That’s in part because no 2 state drug testing laws are exactly alike. And how those laws affect businesses can vary significantly depending on a host of factors, including in which state or states a company operates, what kind of industry the company represents, and the number of employees. Quest Diagnostics Employer Solutions provides a host of drug testing services in all 50 states and in most US territories. Our objective is to create solutions to the challenges employers face when tryin ..read more

The landscape of marijuana use in the US continues to shift with popular opinion favoring the drug, while employers are left wondering—why test for marijuana? Here are 4 critical questions every employer should be asking when it comes to maintaining a safe and healthy drug-free workplace: Is marijuana use increasing? What impact is marijuana use having on the workplace? Should employers test for marijuana? How should employers build their drug testing programs? We know the answers to these questions are critical to making positive business decisions for your workforce. We also know the impo ..read more

For over 30 years, lab-based urine testing was the only testing method permitted by most federal government agencies mandating testing by employers, including the US Department of Transportation (DOT). It is the established gold standard of drug testing and is permitted in all 50 states and every US territory. In fact, in a 2022 survey of employers, nearly 87% said they rely on lab-based urine testing in addition to or instead of other drug testing methods.[1] Yet, employers’ drug-free workplace needs and priorities appear to be shifting in response to popular cultural changes, which is start ..read more