2010 Georgia Code
TITLE 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
CHAPTER 9 - WORKERS' COMPENSATION
ARTICLE 11 - DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE PROGRAMS
§ 34-9-414 - Notice of testing; written policy statement

O.C.G.A. 34-9-414 (2010)
34-9-414. Notice of testing; written policy statement


(a) One time only, prior to testing, all employees and job applicants for employment must be given a notice of testing. In addition, all employees must be given a written policy statement from the employer which contains:

(1) A general statement of the employer's policy on employee substance abuse which shall identify:

(A) The types of testing an employee or job applicant may be required to submit to, including reasonable suspicion or other basis used to determine when such testing will be required; and

(B) The actions the employer may take against an employee or job applicant on the basis of a positive confirmed test result;

(2) A statement advising an employee or job applicant of the existence of this article;

(3) A general statement concerning confidentiality;

(4) The consequences of refusing to submit to a drug test;

(5) A statement advising an employee of the Employee Assistance Program, if the employer offers such program, or advising the employee of the employer's resource file of assistance programs and other persons, entities, or organizations designed to assist employees with personal or behavioral problems;

(6) A statement that an employee or job applicant who receives a positive confirmed test result may contest or explain the result to the employer within five working days after written notification of the positive test result; and

(7) A statement informing an employee of the provisions of the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act or Chapter 23 of Title 45, the "Drug-free Public Work Force Act of 1990," if applicable to the employer.

(b) An employer not having a substance abuse testing program in effect on July 1, 1993, shall ensure that at least 60 days elapse between a general one-time notice to all employees that a substance abuse testing program is being implemented and the beginning of the actual testing. An employer having a substance abuse testing program in place prior to July 1, 1993, shall not be required to provide a 60 day notice period.

(c) An employer shall include notice of substance abuse testing on vacancy announcements for those positions for which testing is required. A notice of the employer's substance abuse testing policy must also be posted in an appropriate and conspicuous location on the employer's premises, and copies of the policy must be made available for inspection by the employees or job applicants of the employer during regular business hours in the employer's personnel office or other suitable locations.