Reasonable Suspicion: Drug and Alcohol Testing for Managers and Supervisors
Available for MP4 video download by purchasing a corporate or single-site license.
Federal law specifies six situations in which motor carrier employees who perform safety-sensitive duties, such as drivers, are required to undergo drug or alcohol testing. One of these is called reasonable suspicion testing. This allows a manager who suspects an employee of having a substance abuse disorder or of actually being under the influence at the time to send them for immediate drug or alcohol testing. By getting impaired drivers off the road, reasonable suspicion testing can help to prevent road accidents, injuries, and even fatalities, but it places serious responsibilities on motor carrier managers.
In this program, we discuss the concept of reasonable suspicion, the types of situations that justify reasonable suspicion testing, and the procedures that managers and supervisors should use to administer it fairly and effectively. Topics include:
- What makes a suspicion "reasonable"
- Recognizing signs of substance abuse
- How to approach an employee concerning a reasonable suspicion