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Q: We are having a horrible time, as most employers are, finding good, qualified employees that can pass our drug test policies. We just lost one because he tested positive for marijuana use. There are companies who have stopped testing for marijuana use. What would be the legal ramifications if we stopped also? If a maintenance tech

was involved, during work hours, in an accident and was found to be under the influence of marijuana would we be held liable?

A:In short, an employer is not required to test for marijuana or other drugs. However, if the employee is under the influence of marijuana or other illicit drugs at the time of a work accident, an employer could be held responsible under the theory of respondeat superior.

Respondeat Superior is a fancy Latin phrase that means to hold an

employer or principal legally responsible for the wrongful acts of

an employee or agent, if such acts occur within the scope of the employment or agency. shows an employee was under the influence of the drug at the time of the accident.

If the drug was merely in his/her system but the employee was not under the influence of the drug I don’t believe the finding would be of consequence in the legal case. However, It may take a toxicologist to understand whether the test results are meaningful because of such things as “half-life of drug,” weight, height, food consumption, interaction with other drugs (prescription or otherwise), timing and method of drug testing, reliability of testing, etc.

As always, if you are an employer, employee or accident victim and are facing this very issue, it is always best to consult with a knowledgeable attorney to discuss the facts of your case.

I do believe there is a difference between a drug test showing that the employee had drugs in his/her system but was not under the influence of the drug at the time of the accident and a drug test that

Disclaimer: The above information provided by Siesky Law Firm, PC, is not legal advice and should not be taken as legal advice. Application of the law is highly fact sensitive and readers should consult with an attorney on legal matters.