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Safety in the workplace hinges on supervisors' ability to recognize potential impairment – but how exactly should they make these critical determinations? Joe Reilly and Tom Fulmer, incoming president of the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association, tackle this question head-on with practical insights for employers navigating the complexities of reasonable suspicion testing.
The conversation reveals a crucial distinction many employers miss: the difference between immediate and non-immediate reasonable suspicion. While immediate situations require swift action based on specific, observable behaviors that suggest current impairment, non-immediate scenarios involve patterns of concerning behavior over time. Each requires a different approach, documentation method, and confrontation technique.
"Don't try and diagnose the problem. You're not a clinician," Reilly emphasizes, highlighting that reasonable suspicion isn't about catching employees or making accusations – it's fundamentally about workplace safety. The experts share valuable guidance on proper documentation (using objective criteria rather than subjective judgments), confrontation methods that keep discussions on track, and the importance of confidentiality throughout the process.
Perhaps most valuable is their practical advice for supervisors, including never allowing potentially impaired employees to drive, keeping emotions in check during confrontations, and understanding that many behaviors that mimic impairment could have alternative explanations like medical conditions or personal crises. The discussion underscores why supervisor training isn't just a compliance checkbox but an essential safety tool that can prevent accidents, reduce liability, and potentially save lives.
Whether you're developing a drug-free workplace program, training supervisors, or looking to strengthen your reasonable suspicion protocols, this episode delivers actionable insights that balance workplace safety with employee dignity. Subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to receive notifications when we upload new content about workplace drug testing and safety policies.