What Is Better Testing – And Why Your Business Needs It

When it comes to workplace drug and alcohol testing, most companies follow a predictable path:

Test. Punish. Replace.

It sounds compliant. It looks decisive. But in reality, it's short-sighted, expensive, and culturally damaging.

At First Cohort, we've taken a different route, one that doesn’t just catch problems, but helps solve them. We call it Better Testing.

What Is Better Testing?

Better Testing is a modern, people-first approach to workplace drug and alcohol testing. It does everything traditional testing does, only better.

·       Yes, it protects your workplace.

·       Yes, it helps you remain legally compliant.

·       Yes, it upholds health and safety standards.

But here’s the difference:

It treats a failed test as a flag, not a firing squad.

Why We Built It

We saw the fallout from outdated policies:

·       High staff turnover after one failed test

·       Fear-driven workplaces where no one speaks up

·       Good employees lost over temporary mistakes

·       HR teams overwhelmed, managers unsure how to act

And we realised:

The problem isn’t the testing, it’s what comes after the test.

Better Testing is designed to fix that.

What Makes Better Testing Different?

Support-first, not sack-first.

We put recovery, education, and accountability at the centre of the process, along with early intervention. We help you spot signs and behaviours before they become incidents. Along with this, we train leaders within your company to respond confidently, fairly and positively, not reactively or punitively. Our approach shields your people and your business, from risk, reputational damage, and legal issues.

The Business Benefits

Companies who adopt our Better Testing model see results that go beyond compliance:

·       Reduced absenteeism and sick leave

·       Lower staff turnover

·       Improved workplace morale and trust

·       Stronger legal and procedural resilience

·       Better brand reputation with clients and future hires

Put simply: It protects your profits by protecting your people.

Why Now?

Substance misuse is on the rise, and so is awareness.

Forward-thinking companies are no longer asking if they should test.

They’re asking how to do it in a way that reflects their values, supports their teams, and still gets the job done.

Better Testing is the answer.

Want to Learn More?

We don’t just test, we train, support, and guide your business through the process.

If you’re ready to upgrade your drug and alcohol policy into something smarter, safer, and more effective…

Let’s talk.

Dave

MD, First Cohort Incorporated Ltd.