Why Some Meridian Employers Pay Less for Workers’ Comp Than Others

A Quick Primer for Meridian Employers Before We Break Down Each Section

Idaho’s Drug-Free Workplace Act (Idaho Code §§72-1701–1717) gives employers a powerful framework to create safer workplaces, while protecting themselves when drug or alcohol issues arise. When a business follows the statute’s voluntary program, it can legally classify drug and alcohol violations as “misconduct” for unemployment purposes, gain liability protections, and even earn a 5% workers’ comp premium discount. But to get those benefits, the program has to be set up the right way.

The Act covers everything from who you can test, to how testing must be collected, to what employee rights look like after a positive result.

This upcoming blog series breaks the statute into short, easy-to-read sections. Each entry will give you a quick summary of what the law says and how it translates to real-world decisions inside your business. Here’s a quick preview of the topics we’ll cover:

Who Can Be Tested & When

Idaho allows employers to test applicants and current employees, rely on test results from third parties, and still maintain at-will employment. Testing for current employees must be paid time, and employers pay for all testing unless the employee requests a retest.

How Testing Has to Be Collected and Confirmed

The Act requires trained collectors, sanitary and reasonable conditions, privacy with anti-tampering safeguards, documented chain-of-custody, and scientifically reliable testing. Every drug positive needs a lab confirmation. Every alcohol positive needs a confirmatory method. These steps are what give employers the legal shield the program was designed for.

Your Required Written Policy

A compliant program must include a written drug and alcohol policy that is communicated to employees, outlines consequences, lists every testing category you use, and makes clear that violations may constitute misconduct. Without this document, the program doesn’t qualify for statutory protections.

Employee Rights After a Positive Result

Idaho requires written notice, access to an MRO or qualified professional, and a 7-day window for the employee to request a retest of the same sample. If the retest is negative, employers owe reimbursement and sometimes reinstatement with back pay.

When Discipline Counts as “Misconduct”

The statute spells out exactly when a confirmed positive, sample tampering, or refusal to test can be treated as misconduct for unemployment purposes. This is one of the strongest protections the Act provides to Idaho employers.

What Employers Can Do After a Positive

Once requirements are met, the employer may suspend, require treatment, conduct follow-up testing, or terminate. The law also makes employees ineligible for unemployment benefits in these circumstances.

Where Employers Are Protected

The statute shields employers from liability when they act in good faith, follow proper collection and testing standards, maintain confidentiality, and document their process. It also protects businesses that choose not to run a testing program at all.

Confidentiality & Limited Use Rules

Testing information is private, belongs to the employer, and is restricted to internal use, legal matters, and certain Idaho Title 44 scenarios.

How the 5% Premium Discount Works

Meridian employers can qualify for the workers’ comp reduction by running a program that meets the statute’s requirements. Public entities can also qualify when all non-exempt roles are covered.

Testing Requirements for State Construction Work

Contractors seeking Idaho state construction jobs must run a compliant drug-free workplace program and verify compliance through an affidavit. Subcontractors need to meet these standards too.
 

If you want help setting up a fully compliant program, reviewing your policy, or tightening your testing process across worksites, Fastest Labs of Meridian is here to partner with you. Our collection standards and documentation support help Idaho employers stay covered:

☎️(208) 314-3833

🌐www.fastestlabs.com/meridian