Handle Positive Results Like a Pro with a Policy That Backs You Up
How you respond to a positive drug test will show whether your policies are built to support both safety and accountability. The right response can protect your people, your reputation and your legal standing all at once.
Here’s what you need to know about handling a positive drug test while considering your policy and the legal side of things.
Balancing Accountability with Fairness for Employees in Recovery
When an employee tests positive, the next steps shouldn’t be reactionary. They should be guided by your drug-free workplace policy, your values, and the federal law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not protect current illegal drug use. But it does offer protections to employees who are in recovery or participating in a supervised rehab program. That means you need to walk a line between upholding safety expectations and avoiding legal missteps.
Your policy should make it clear on what happens after a first offense. Are you offering a second chance with a return-to-duty test? Is rehabilitation part of the plan? Providing that structure upfront helps reduce confusion and tension if and when a test comes back positive.
Most companies that offer paths to recovery rather than immediate termination often maintain better reputations and better retention.
Why Documentation is Your Best Friend
Every positive test result is a legal moment waiting to happen. That’s why proper documentation matters.
From the initial result to the final resolution, keep a written record of everything. That includes the test result itself, who was notified, what was communicated to the employee, and what steps were taken. These records need to be stored securely, with access limited to authorized staff only.
Not only does this protect the employee’s privacy, but it also protects your company if there's ever a question about fairness, discrimination, or inconsistent application of policy.
Support for Your Team from Testing to Policy
The best time to think about what you'll do after a positive test isn’t when it happens. It’s before it occurs.
Fastest Labs of Meridian works with employers across the Treasure Valley to design drug testing programs that reflect the company’s values and meet legal standards. That includes helping you write policies that spell out what happens when an employee fails a test. Whether that means removal from safety-sensitive duties, referral to an Employee Assistance Program, or a structured return-to-work process.
When your policy is clear, consistent, and legally sound, your decisions become easier and safer.
At Fastest Labs of Meridian, we don’t just provide fast and accurate drug testing. We also help businesses think through the hard parts.
Whether you need help updating your current policy, planning your return-to-duty process, or just getting advice on how to handle a one-off situation, our team is ready to be a resource.