Central Alabama Water confirmed that it started mandatory drug testing for all employees Monday.
According to CAW spokesperson John Matson, the testing served as a baseline and that CAW will conduct drug testing moving forward. Matson said CAW has a zero-tolerance policy for substance use and that failing to meet those standards will result in termination.
The employee association for CAW acknowledged the testing and the terminations of some employees.
“The CEO and the Senior Executive Team (SET) initiated a company-wide drug test just days after releasing a new employee handbook and three days before the first company town hall,” part of a statement from the employee association reads.
“We commend all employees who were able to comply with this testing requirement under these circumstances,” the statement continued. “The Employee Association will continue to press leadership for transparency regarding these changes and the implementation of procedures that do not benefit employees or ratepayers, despite claims to the contrary.”
