NON-DOT

A significant number of companies maintain a drug-free workplace program for employees who are not subject to DOT regulations.  A drug and alcohol testing plan is one way for an employer to maintain a safe work environment and can be based on insurance requirements, negotiated labor agreements and/or company Human Resource policies.  When in writing as terms and conditions of employment, the employee must be fully compliant with the company's drug and alcohol-testing program.

Many employers have come to recognize that the DOT SAP process is the gold standard for establishing the requirements necessary for an employee to be returned to work.  Accordingly, an employer may require an employee who has failed or refused a drug or alcohol test to be seen by a DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for a 'non-DOT SAP' evaluation.  While they cannot make the employee see a SAP, if the individual elects not to go through the process, the employer can legally deny one's return to work.