Drug & Alcohol Screening Services
Drug and alcohol use can have a significant effect on performance, concentration and alertness at work. This is why many employers choose to put drug and alcohol tests in place as part of a wider approach to workplace safety, employee wellbeing and risk management.
The Health and Safety Executive says that employers have a legal duty to protect their employees’ health, safety, and welfare. With an estimated 3% – 5% of work absences being alcohol-related, costing the UK economy nearly £2 billion a year, understanding drug and alcohol misuse can help businesses manage workplace risk and develop an effective policy.
At Staywell, we provide drug and alcohol screening services to help employers manage these risks in a professional and legally robust way. Whether you are introducing testing as part of a wider policy or strengthening an existing approach, we can help you put the right support in place for your workforce.
Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing to Support a Safer Workforce
Drug and alcohol screening at work can play an important role in supporting a safer environment, particularly where employees carry out tasks that rely on coordination and clear judgement.
For some businesses, testing may form part of a broader health and safety approach across the whole workforce. For others, it may be particularly relevant in higher-risk settings where impaired performance could have more serious consequences. The HSE highlights safety-critical work, such as using machinery, driving, operating heavy lifting equipment, working with electrical equipment, or using ladders, as examples where drug or alcohol misuse could have a serious outcome.
It is also important that these issues are handled fairly, as guidance notes that where employees ask for help, problems should be dealt with discreetly and confidentially, and that a workplace policy should aim to support employees rather than simply punish them.
Why Drug and Alcohol Screening Matters at Work
Substance abuse can affect concentration, judgement and alertness at work, and in some roles, that can increase the risk of accidents or poor decision-making that can cause harm to those around them.
For some businesses, this is particularly important in roles involving driving, machinery, electrical equipment, heavy lifting, or other tasks where impaired performance could have serious consequences.
When introduced as a part of a clear and well-communicated policy, drug and alcohol screening can help employers take a more proactive approach to managing risk across the workforce.
—
How Drug and Alcohol Screening Supports Employers and Employees
How Drug and Alcohol Screening Supports Employers
For employers, drug and alcohol screening can help support a safer workplace and a more consistent approach to managing risk. It can sit alongside a clear policy, helping businesses set expectations, respond appropriately to concerns, and reduce the likelihood of incidents linked to substance misuse.
Testing may be particularly valuable where employees carry out higher-risk duties or where there is a clear need to reduce absenteeism, disruption, or safety concerns. When professionally delivered, workplace drug and alcohol testing can also help ensure that screening is handled accurately, sensitively, and in a legally defensible way.
How Drug and Alcohol Screening Supports Employees
Drug and alcohol tests are not only about protecting the business. It can also support employees by helping create a safer working environment and making expectations around workplace conduct clear.
When handled properly, screening should sit within a wider process that includes clear communication, appropriate support, and fair management procedures. That helps employers address concerns in a way that is consistent, respectful, and proportionate.
Where concerns are identified, screening can sit within a wider process that includes policy awareness, manager training, and referral to further support if needed.
Drug and Alcohol Testing Services We Provide
Staywell’s associated specialist drug and alcohol screening company provides legally defensible chain of custody screening and confirmation testing across the UK. The complete testing process is carried out in accordance with legal requirements and by fully trained professionals.
Our drug and alcohol screening services can include sample collection, chain of custody procedures, test results, reporting within an agreed timeframe, and testimony in a tribunal where required. This helps employers access a testing process that is accurate, consistent, and properly documented.
For alcohol testing, we use a breathalyser to support reliable and immediate testing. We can also arrange drug and alcohol tests at a location of your choice, making the service flexible around the needs of your business.
When Should Drug and Alcohol Screening Be Carried Out?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to workplace drug and alcohol screening. The right testing schedule will depend on the nature of your business, the type of work being carried out, and how screening fits within your wider policy.
At Staywell, we can arrange testing on a scheduled basis, random basis, or for cause, depending on your needs and the level of risk involved.
Scheduled Testing
Scheduled testing takes place at planned intervals and can be a useful option where routine screening forms part of an organisation’s wider health and safety approach. This may be particularly relevant in higher-risk working environments where employers want a more structured and consistent testing programme in place.
Random Testing
Random testing can be used where employers want an ongoing snapshot of workplace compliance without screening every employee at the same time. This approach works best when it sits within a clearly communicated policy, so employees understand how and why testing may take place.
For Cause Testing
For cause testing is usually carried out where there is a specific concern about an employee’s fitness for work, such as following an incident, near miss, or visible signs of impairment. Because this type of testing can be more sensitive, it is important that it is supported by a clear policy, consistent procedures, and properly documented decision-making.
Contact us about a drug and alcohol screening
More Than Testing: Policy Support and Training
To work well in practive, drug and alcohol screening should sit within a clear and well-communicated approach that helps employers manage concerns confidently. Beyond the provision of testing and delivery of results, we can provide a full supporting service, making the whole process effortless.
Here at Staywell, we can help:
- Advise on policy development and professionally review your Drug & Alcohol Policy in accordance with the current guidelines.
- Provide background checks that can help mitigate personnel-related risks, where required.
- Provide substance misuse and policy awareness training to ensure that you and your team fully understand the standards in place and how they should be handled.
Together, these services can help employers build a more complete and manageable approach to workplace drug and alcohol procedures.
Why Choose Staywell for Drug and Alcohol Screening Services
Staywell provides drug and alcohol testing that is accurate, professionally delivered, and designed to work around the needs of your business. Through our associated specialists, we offer legally defensible drug testing with clear procedures from sample collection through to reporting.
We can arrange testing at a location of your choice and offer flexible options depending on how you want screening to be carried out. This makes it easier for you to introduce or reinforce workplace testing is a way that is practical and aligned with wider workplace policies. We also offer support around workplace drug and alcohol management, offering a more joined-up approach, rather than standalone testing services.
Book Drug and Alcohol Screening Services
If you are looking for drug and alcohol screening services for your business, Staywell can help. We provide flexible workplace drug and alcohol testing across the UK, delivered by trained professionals and supported by clear, legally robust procedures.
Book a drug and alcohol test or fill out the form below
FAQs
What happens in a drug and alcohol screening?
A drug and alcohol test usually involves collecting a sample using an approved testing method and following the correct procedures to ensure the result is accurate and reliable. At Staywell, this can include breath alcohol testing, drug sample collection, chain of custody procedures, and reporting carried out by trained professionals.
What happens if an employee fails their drug and alcohol test?
If an employee returns a non-negative result, the next steps will depend on the type of test carried out and the employer’s policy. In some cases, confirmation testing may be required before a final outcome is reported. Any action taken by the employer should be guided by their drug and alcohol policy and handled in a fair and consistent way.
How long do drug and alcohol test results take to come back?
The timeframe for results can vary depending on the type of test being carried out. Some alcohol tests can provide an immediate result on site, while some drug tests may require confirmation testing before the final result is reported. If you are arranging screening for your workforce, we can advise on likely turnaround times based on the testing method used.
Can an employee refuse a drug and alcohol test?
This will depend on the terms of the employer’s policy and how screening has been communicated within the workplace. For this reason, it is important to have a clear and well-documented drug and alcohol policy in place, so employees understand when testing may be required and how the process will be handled.
Our Other Services
Safety Critical Medicals
Employers have a duty of care to prevent the ill-health of their employees, especially if they carry out safety-critical tasks. It is important that workers are not affected by medical conditions that could lead to incapacity, reduced concentration, poor balance, or limitation of mobility.
Employee Health Screening
Delivered by experienced clinicians to businesses across the UK, our employee health screenings help employers take a proactive approach to workplace wellbeing. Our healthchecks are designed to give employees a better understanding of their health while supporting employers to create a healthier workforce.
Occupational Health Services
Staywell offers a wide range of occupational health services to support businesses across the UK. From management referrals and employee health screening to health surveillance and safety critical medicals, our flexible services are designed to help employers protect the health, wellbeing, and productivity of their workforce.
