DISA's 2018 April Fools Joke: Companies nationwide are considering cracking down on your morning cup of joe. Caffeine is consumed on a daily basis by the majority of U.S. workers in a variety of ways including coffee, energy drinks, chocolate, caffeine pills, tea, etc. Those quick pick-me-ups might soon be a thing of the past as employers are considering drug testing for caffeine
Several large companies in the U.S. have recently begun exploratory drug testing for caffeine, under the belief that the short-term benefits, don’t outweigh the long-term risks.
The Effects of Caffeine on your Body
The dependency for caffeine can lead to a number of withdrawal side effects when frequent use is discontinued and can last up to 5-7 days. Withdrawal side effects include headaches, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, insomnia, and irritability.
How Caffeine Effects the Workplace
Employees who rely on daily caffeine intake to get them through the workday can lead to an unhealthy dependency. Due to a hectic, fast paced working environment, employees often easily grab a cup of coffee or energy drink before a long meeting. Employees who rely on caffeine and don’t get an adequate amount can cause a disruption in the office due to the effects of withdrawal.
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms of co-workers in caffeine withdrawal:
- Reduced productivity
- Irritability with coworkers
- Tardiness
- Drowsiness at work
Could this mean the end of your delightful coffee breaks? Probably not, because this is all an April Fool’s joke! By all means continue to enjoy your mid-afternoon tea breaks, coffee indulgent mornings, and quick swigs of energy drinks before meetings, because this is all just a joke!
Drug Testing Services
For your very real and mandated drug testing needs, for over 30 years DISA has been a provider of workplace safety and compliance services. DISA helps companies make more informed staffing decisions by offering a broad array of industry-leading methodologies to make employee screening faster and more accurate.
For more information on keeping your workplace and employees safe call DISA at (281) 673-2400 or contact us online.
About DISA Global Solutions
Founded in 1986, DISA is the industry-leading provider of employee screening and compliance services. Headquartered in Houston, with more than 35 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada, DISA’s comprehensive scope of services includes drug and alcohol testing, background check, occupational health, and transportation compliance. DISA assists employers in making informed staffing decisions while building a culture of safety in their workplace.