Drug Testing Drivers - Policy Idea

bdog1234

I have been in this business about 15 years. I can not provide 100% steady work for my guys and thus I have a hard time keeping the best employees. They work hard but some of them also party hard. A lot of them like to smoke the grass on their off time. It really does not bother me what they do on their own time but I worry about them doing on the the job and causing an accident. Also I would like a way to reward the guys who are clean and at the same time provide a safer work environment.

Anyway here is an idea I have. Create two seperate classes of employees. Drivers and Non-Drivers.

Drivers:
1) Must have valid drivers license
2) Must take and pass an inital as well as future random drug tests
3) Automatically get a 1$ per hour raise when becoming a driver
4) Receive preference on getting work when there are small jobs and the whole crew is not needed (not very often but it does happen from time to time)

Non Drivers
1) No drug testing requirements
2) Are not permitted to drive vehicles or operate any heavy machinery
3) Pay rate stays the same


What do you think of this? I know that these can be touchy issues from a legal / liability standpoint. I want to make sure I am not opening myself up to something by doing this.

RobertF

Part of employment in my company is random drug testing, driver or not. I don't really care what people do, but if you're going to represent me, use my power tools and be covered by my workers comp you'd better be drug free and show up to work sober.

Every company I worked for prior had random drug testing and before you were allowed to drive company vehicles, you had to get your DOT physical and drug test and if you were in an accident you were drug tested immediately.

__________________
-Robert F

MALCO.New.York

The Driver increase is LOW unless that is all he is. If he IS a full Employee, work and hump and all that goes, $1 per hour is not enough.

You DO need to Stroke them a bit, but NEVER let them know that your are doing so.

A Driver has a bunch more responsibility. Your Equipment. Your Credit Rating. Your Insurance. Your Equity Resale Value. Your Consumer Reputation.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

pcplumber

In California, we can only test for drugs for hiring, before giving a promotion, and after an accident. We cannot do random testing because this could be discrimination.

Two plumbing companies, in Los Angeles, had accidents, after work hours, where their employees were drunk and killed several people. One was just a few weeks ago. It is my opinion that the owners of these companies must have had some clue regarding the caliber of their workers. Happy to say, several years ago, I learned to stay from anyone who give me any indication they are alcoholics or drug addicts. I terminate them, immediately, when I find out.

plumberman

How about the ones that recover and are ex-alcholics or addicts?

__________________
"To think for yourself you must question authority and learn how to put yourself in a state of vulnerable, open-mindedness; chaotic, confused, vulnerability to inform yourself. Think for yourself. Question authority". ..

MALCO.New.York

It IS a crap shoot, but at least you do know the potential and have an eye open for tell-tale signs!

The odds ARE against continued Sobriety.

The BIGGEST problem is that the Majority of "Recovered" Alcoholics and Drug Addicts are "PROFESSIONAL" users and really know how to "pull the wool" when it is "relapse" time.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

plumberman

I enjoy the odds, that's what sets me apart from the norm. I was a professional as you say so I do see your point. I was very good at doing what I did. Going on 3 1/2 years for me. The company that I work for didn't want to hire me because of my past, they finally saw the light and now everything is good. This post drew my interest because I have been in those shoes. In my state is illegal to not hire someone because of past drug use. Now current drug use is a DIFFERENT story. If you have been through treatment then you fall under the Disability Act. I'm mentally disabled that's for sure

__________________
"To think for yourself you must question authority and learn how to put yourself in a state of vulnerable, open-mindedness; chaotic, confused, vulnerability to inform yourself. Think for yourself. Question authority". ..

MALCO.New.York

So says your Avatar!!!!!!!!

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

TxElectrician

Nothing wrong with being an alcoholic, I know one who has been sober for 19 years. Drunks are the ones you need to watchout for. But back to the OP's question, I think your idea is faulty because it sends the message that you tolerate drug use.

plumberman

Still searching.... lol

__________________
"To think for yourself you must question authority and learn how to put yourself in a state of vulnerable, open-mindedness; chaotic, confused, vulnerability to inform yourself. Think for yourself. Question authority". ..

Floordude

Some of the most talented craftsmen I have ever met were dope smokers. They were not fast, but let me tell you these guys and gals were true artist, when the final product was revealed. They always took so much pride in their work, and it showed daily, although they reeked constantly. Never saw them smoking, but I guess breakfast and lunch was a gonja fest.

I have seen some that were a total wreck waiting to happen, even if they didn't smoke dope or drink. Complete, no common sense dumbasses.

Drinking on a job or under the influence has never turned out very good. Sloppy uncompleted work habits. Square and straight were an illusion in their eyes.

__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com

bdog1234

I have kinda thought that as well but given the current situation I do not know the best solution. Right now my policy is do what you want on your time, but not on mine. So right now by not having any testing one could argue that I am tolerating it already. Everyone knows that if they were to get caught using on the job they would be canned immediately, and that would not change.

I think I could implement this in the name of safety, that I want to ensure all drivers are clean and sober.

MALCO.New.York

One must first Define "Sober".

No Alcohol?

No Pot?

No Cocaine?

No Crack or Heroine?

No Caffeine?

Friday Night at The Club, a little "X", but only once in a "Blue Moon"?

Where do you draw the line?

Weekend Warriors are exempt or not?

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

bdog1234

I see your points.

Really I am not in favor of intruding on peoples lives but at the same time I want to cover my butt, and at the same time create a safe work environment.

Let me give some more details of why this has came about. Recently another company that my guys are familiar with had an accident on the job. A guy that was high backed over a coworker with a truck. The guy lived but is still in the hospital. Sad deal. Anyway my guys were talking about it and it got me to thinking.

Sometimes people can really fool you but from what I gather on my ten man crew about half of them smoke the reefer, and the other half don't. The ones that don't were the ones mainly speaking up about how pissed they would be if they were ever hurt due to someone being under the influence. I don't think these guys would have any problems with the tests and would actually feel safer and better if I instituted such a policy.

MALCO.New.York

I am NOT in favor of Policing Pot! I do not smoke. Anything above that is Taboo!

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

GregS

The fact that they were talking about it works in your favour. "Hey, don't be stupid, I don't want you to back over me with the truck!"

pcplumber

Tweakers have th most creative minds. If tweakers and normal people were to have a competition building a fancy race car, the tweakers would win. Problem is; eventually the tweakers always steal of sabotage the company.

plumberman

I ain't just tweakers. I have worked with guys that have never drank a drop of alcohol or consumed narcotics and they stole from their company. Yes addicts/ alcoholics have a track record for this, but every employee has the ability to steal its just a part of doing business.

__________________
"To think for yourself you must question authority and learn how to put yourself in a state of vulnerable, open-mindedness; chaotic, confused, vulnerability to inform yourself. Think for yourself. Question authority". ..

Zendik

None of my business if guys want to do whatever on their own time. Don't bring it to work and we're cool. These men work hard and deserve to have privacy when they are home. If they want to relax at home after a hard days work with a big doobie that is their business and their business alone. Controlling people in their homes is bad policy.