We Provide Reasonable Suspicion Supervisory Training

Supervisors of DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees must adhere to a high level of employee monitoring. Employers are legally required to follow drug and alcohol protocols and ensure compliance. At SAP Referral Services (SRS) we offer Reasonable Suspicion Supervisory Training and other employer services. By partnering with us you can be assured that your supervisors and organizational leaders understand DOT drug and alcohol guidelines. Read on to learn how to leverage our expertise to your benefit.

Employer Training at SAP Referral Services

SRS specializes in keeping up to date with the most recent guidelines required by the Department of Transportation. Additionally, we are proficient in making sure you understand DOT workplace drug and alcohol policies. We are the experts who can train your managers to become experts too. We have a wide range of programs intended for both employees and employers.

Our DER Training program for managers looks to:

  • Educate on DOT procedures of drug and alcohol testing
  • Identify and understand the roles of any employee involved in the process
  • Clarify the difference in modal regulations and outline the employer’s responsibilities

For an even more comprehensive training program, employers may consider our Reasonable Suspicion Supervisory Training program.

Understanding Reasonable Suspicion Supervisory Training

Our Reasonable Suspicion Supervisory Training program helps educate supervisory staff to recognize the warning signs of alcohol or drug abuse. We teach supervisors how to monitor their employees’ physical, behavioral, performance, and speech patterns. This training also helps the supervisor understand how to proceed if they suspect a violation of the drug and alcohol policy.

Employees have a right only to be tested under reasonable suspicion and not targeted based on guesses or personality conflicts. Before testing can occur a supervisor (or several supervisors) must observe signs of appearance, behavior, speech, or smell indicating drug or alcohol use.

Once a supervisor requests testing, an employee cannot decline. Refusing to participate in testing is considered an automatic fail. However, what if an employee believes they are unfairly targeted for testing? The DOT recommends they proceed with testing and file a complaint afterward. The supervisor may then be asked to explain their “reasonable suspicion details,” including the exact warning signs and any other witnesses.

Contact SAP Referral Service to Learn More

It’s a delicate situation. Supervisors must continually monitor their DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees. If warning signs are missed, the employee could cause significant harm to themselves, other employees, and the public. Yet, supervisors also can’t request testing without reason and need to explain themselves when testing an employee.

SRS helps ensure your supervisory staff is properly trained to:

  • Recognize the warning signs of drug and/or alcohol use
  • Document proof or gather witnesses
  • Properly request testing and manage the results

Partner with SAP Referral Services to conduct training so you and your organization know the proper rules regarding reasonable suspicion testing. Contact us for more information.


SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.