Do you suspect your employee is on drugs?

hugsandhissyfits

i live in fla panhandle prescription drugs here are running wild..oxycotin,lortabs etc.
I would send him down for another spur of the moment drug test without notice drive him there.Watch him closely they all know certain heath things to take to make it not show etc.

Dean *

He may even be taking a prescription drug that has some effect. I think that you should sit him down and talk to him about it barring that you don't have already well established policies for your workplace. If he is under the influence you should send him home for the day and tell him flat out that unless he can come to work clean and sober not to come in at all. Past that he would need to be given a drug test. I believe normally the company would pay for the first one and if he fails he would have to pay for subsequent ones periodically. Bottom line though is that you need strong company policies and probably need to talk to an attorney first to find out what your rights are as an employer in the state you live.

asandler311

1st off by doing nothing you could be harming the other employees. He may seem ok now but anything could happen. You may also have a recovering addict working for you that is making them feel very uncomfortable. The first thing you should do is to give him an opportunity to explain his behavior. Set him aside alone (if you are comfortable) and explain to him that you and others have noticed a change in his behavior. Give him an opportunity to justify himself. He may be going through some things at home that are making him use/act the way he is. Do not accuse him of anything. I am sure there could be legal ramifications if he isn't on any drugs and he may also have a mental illness requiring him to take certain medication that makes him act this way. If there is no viable excuse for why he is acting this way let him know that if he continues to behave in the manner he is behaving in, that you will be forced to make him submit a drug test. Give him the benefit of the doubt but understand that he probably is doing something wrong/illegal, and you have to watch your back legally as well.

EssB

There are a lot of reasons for strange behavior, and I'm thrilled to hear that you're concerned for this employee's well-being. It could be mental illness, a traumatic life event like a divorce, and a number of things in between. You need to talk to the employee. If it's within your power, maybe offer a leave of absence while this person tries to get things straightened out. Good luck.

redvelvetflames4ever

First and foremost what is your policies on this? If you have nothing on the books this can be very tricky. You say you spoke to the employee. Did you inquire if he was okay? He appeared to be acting sluggish (do not accuse him of being under any controlled substance.) You are within your right to send him/her home if you believe they are under the influence of an unknown substance. You are not liable to what may happen to him/her once they leave the premises, but you and the company will be liable if he/she hurts himself or another employee(s) on the premises. I would have sent him home and ask him to please see a doctor and return with a clearance to work since I am concerned for his well being and safety. If you do not have a policy on the books regarding disciplinary procedures I suggest you create one and fast. I think it is admirable of you to be concerned for his safety if you send him home, but you need to be more concerned with what can happen under your roof. Those repercussions can be much worse.

entidtil

Sit him down and tell him he is behaving strangely. Ask if he has an explanation. Tell him it has been suggested that it could be drugs. If he says he is on a legal prescription, ask him to notify his prescribing Physician that he has been told he is acting strangely at work. Tell him If his behavior at work doesn't improve, you will be forced to let him go because of safety issues involving both him and the other employees.
To "Heck" with the suggestion of opening a Company "book" to see if there is a rule or a policy covering this. Treat him as a fellow human. Give him a chance.

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