Positive Drug Tests and EAP

When an employee tests positive under an alcohol and drug program, most policy's require that the employee be immediately removed from the job site and then follow three steps in order to return to duty:

Get an alcohol and drug evaluation
Follow all recommendations of the evaluator (or minimally be able to verify initiation of the process)
Produce a negative test result

In order for employees to comply with this portion of the alcohol and drug policy, organizations need to have an EAP in place. This allows the employee to get evaluated and provides the organization with recommendations from the evaluator. The EAP also monitors the employee to make sure they are complying with all recommendations and communicates this to the organization and informs them when the employee is able to return to duty. This layer of insulation keeps the organization from becoming too involved in the employee's personal problems and affairs and provides confidentiality for an employee in treatment.