Enjoying the preview?
This is the free first lesson. Get full access — request a demo or sign in.
Reasonable Suspicion Overview
Learn to recognize signs of drug or alcohol use in the workplacePreview the first lesson free — get full access to all 6 lessons.
Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 6 Lessons · 15m in English, Spanish
Course Description
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 use 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.
This course provides a general overview of “reasonable suspicion” drug and alcohol policies in the workplace, including information on definitions, regulations, procedures, and testing. Areas covered include defining what justifies suspicion as “reasonable”, and ways to recognize the various signs of substance use disorders. This course also outlines how employers address employees who do exhibit signs of substance use disorder, along with appropriate follow-up steps, support, and counseling.
What You'll Learn
- Understand how federal law defines "reasonable suspicion" for substance use disorders
- Recognize the signs and indications of different types of substance use disorders
- Determine how to stand firm and defuse tension when referring employees for "reasonable suspicion" testing
- Explain what makes suspicion qualify as "reasonable" under workplace drug and alcohol policies
- Approach employees who exhibit signs of substance use disorder and outline appropriate follow-up steps, support, and counseling
Key Takeaways
- 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 which is "reasonable suspicion" testing.
- Reasonable suspicion testing allows a manager who suspects an employee of having a substance use disorder, or of 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 prevent road accidents, injuries, and even fatalities.
- The course covers definitions, regulations, procedures, and testing, including what justifies suspicion as "reasonable" and ways to recognize the signs of substance use disorders.
- Employers are shown how to address employees who exhibit signs of substance use disorder, along with appropriate follow-up steps, support, and counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this course cover?
It provides a general overview of "reasonable suspicion" drug and alcohol policies in the workplace, including definitions, regulations, procedures, and testing. It covers what justifies suspicion as "reasonable", ways to recognize signs of substance use disorders, and how employers address affected employees with appropriate follow-up steps, support, and counseling.
Who is this course for?
It is relevant to managers and employers responsible for referring employees for "reasonable suspicion" testing, in the context of motor carrier employees who perform safety-sensitive duties, such as drivers.
What is "reasonable suspicion" testing?
It is one of the six situations specified by federal law in which safety-sensitive motor carrier employees are required to undergo drug or alcohol testing. It allows a manager who suspects an employee of having a substance use disorder, or of being under the influence at the time, to send them for immediate drug or alcohol testing.
What skills does this course help build?
It addresses disciplinary procedures, suspicious activity reporting, and substance abuse counseling, including how to stand firm and defuse tension when referring employees for testing.
What topics do the lessons include?
The lessons include an introduction, an overview of "reasonable suspicion" testing, what makes suspicion "reasonable", recognizing signs of substance abuse disorders, approaching the employee, and a conclusion.
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®)
Recertification Credits: 0.5
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®)
Professional Development Credits (PDCs): 0.5
KnowledgeCity is approved by SHRM as a Recertification General Provider to offer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits (PDCs). By taking the courses approved by SHRM, KnowledgeCity can award SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for HR knowledge and competency programs related to the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (the SHRM BASK™).
