Jobseekers in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty are failing pre-employment drug tests, with one recruitment agency saying up to 30% of its clients fail, reports nzherald.co.nz.

At the same time the country’s Drug Detection Agency figures showed 4.8% of all pre-employment drug tests in the Bay of Plenty were positive in 2014.

Phil van Syp, managing director of 1^st Call Recruitment, said most of those tested positive to cannabis in a urine test: "It's quite high. About 20% to 30% fail depending on the sort of roles. We do a lot of [road laying] and people seem to think that it is okay.”

“The last thing I want is an accident if someone is off their face. None of the staff that work for me are allowed to be under any influence ... We also have post-accident testing done and if they refuse they are instantly dismissed," he added.

The company said that they tested about 30 to 40 people a week and about six to eight would fail.

Teisha Pihama, director of civil, engineering, and transport recruitment firm Encore NZ, said that less than 10% of her people failed a company urine drug test that could pick up six substances - from cannabis to opiates and methamphetamine.

The company's regional branch tests about 80 people a month, she said. Clients are not forced into it "but it is our policy... We sustain a drug-free business and do random testing among our own staff as well”.

Another reason that the company’s pass rate is higher than others could be because many of its clients tend to be in employment and looking for a change.

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) levies, which provide financial compensation and support to citizens, residents and temporary visitors who have suffered personal injuries, could also be reduced if a company had an audited drug testing policy in place, Ms Pihama added.

Halee Reid, branch team leader for recruitment firm Drake, said failed drug tests were an ongoing issue for the agency, with instances occurring weekly: "It's really frustrating when you have a good role and a great candidate and they fail their drug test."

She estimated 30 to 40 people would have failed out of the approximately 200 drug tests carried out so far this year.

"People just need to realise if they are job seeking or are already placed in jobs, they can't take drugs. It just doesn't work. They are only hindering their own careers."

Kirk Hardy, CEO of the Drug Detection Agency, said businesses want to implement drug and alcohol policies due to high-profile accidents and tragedies involving someone who may have been using illicit or prescribed drugs.

However, he said "you can't railroad these things. You have to consult and you have to explain to your team this is why we are doing it, it's a safety function”.

"When you factor in the obligation under the new legislation for employers to ensure they take care to ensure their acts or omissions don't harm others, and the potential for them to be prosecuted for failing to do so, you see that the law has (or will have) some real teeth in this area.”

"One trend we are seeing is an increase in our hair testing services. This has been based around increased demand from professional type services such as accountants and lawyers ... It gives the employer approximately three months history of any past drug usage," Mr Hardy added.

A Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment spokeswoman said no legislation expressly allowed or prohibited drug or alcohol testing in an employment context. However, drug testing potentially helped provide and maintain a safe working environment, she said.