10 Things to Know About Workplace Drug Testing State Laws and Regulations in Wisconsin

1) Legal View

Wisconsin State law defines necessary drug tests for certain jobs. Apart from the mandatory jobs, the state does not limit or direct employers to have employees undergo drug tests. The law states the procedure and agency that will be recognized in case of a contest to a claim.

2) Individuals

Wisconsin mandates the need for regular drug and alcohol tests for contractors and sub-contractors working on public works projects. The law allows testing of students as well. Employers may choose to send all employees or those engaged in high-risk jobs for drug testing

3) Policy

The law does not mandate the need for a written policy except in the public works construction projects. A policy becomes a necessity when contesting a worker’s compensation/ unemployment claim. The presence of a policy provides a guideline to the organization in the absence of a legal framework.

4) Testing Positive

The law mandates that contractors and sub-contractors employed in public works construction projects must be banned or removed from the project if the test result is positive. A worker’s compensation claim may be reduced by up to 15%, limited to a maximum of $15000, in case of a positive result.

5) Drugs Covered

SAMHSA-required substance tests are necessarily carried out on public works contractors and sub-contractors. Apart from this, the law does not mandate a list of drugs to be tested for.

6) Agency

The public works project contractors and sub-contractors are made to go to a SAMHSA-approved drug testing agency for carrying out the tests. Other employers are free to choose the drug testing agency, but will require a report from a SAMHSA-approved agency when they decide to take legal recourse against an individual.

7) Timing

Public works construction project contractors and sub-contractors may be randomly asked to submit to substance testing procedures. Substance tests must be carried out after an accident at a public works site to rule out the possibility of intoxication being the cause. Behavior changes in public works contractors and sub-contractors that point to the possibility of substance abuse are also a trigger for a substance test. The law does not specify the appropriate timing for drug tests for other types of jobs. Regular and random tests may be carried out on the decision of the employer.

8) Cost Incurred

The law directs employers to bear the total cost of medical exams. However, it is yet to determine and state whether drug/ alcohol tests form part of medical exams.

9) Notice

Notices are not mandated at the workplace under state law. The absence of a notice cannot be regarded as a reason for substance abuse at the workplace.

10) Method

State law accepts the test results of SAMHSA-certified procedures or there may be a court decision on the procedures that are necessary for public works contractors and sub-contractors. The procedure adopted for other work types comes under question if there is a need for legal action.