Being a Designated Employer Representative (DER) is one of the most important - and most misunderstood - roles in workplace safety. You're expected to know the regulations, make fast decisions, handle emotional employees, manage service agents, document everything, and stay compliant in a world where one mistake can cost a company millions of dollars.
Most DERs are handed a title... but not the tools.
This book changes that.
The DER Playbook is the first practical, real‑world guide written specifically for DERs - not lawyers, not auditors, not regulators. With nearly four decades of experience in the drug and alcohol testing industry, Linda Richardson walks you through the exact scenarios DERs face every day:
- Reasonable suspicion situations that aren't clear‑cut
- Post‑accident chaos at 2 a.m.
- Employees who stall, argue, or panic
- Collection site errors that threaten compliance
- Service agents who need oversight
- State law landmines in non‑DOT testing
- Refusals that don't sound like refusals
- Documentation that protects you in an audit
You'll learn how to think like a DER, act with confidence, and make decisions that are fair, consistent, and compliant - even when the situation is messy.
Inside you'll find:Real‑world scenarios
DER Tips boxes
Decision trees
Printable checklists
Mode‑specific DOT post‑accident charts
Guidance for working with HR, Safety, Medical, Legal, and Operations
A mindset framework for staying calm and confident.
Whether you're brand‑new to the DER role or a seasoned professional looking to strengthen your program,
The DER Playbook gives you the clarity and confidence you need to protect your company, your employees, and yourself.
This is the book every DER wishes they had on day one.
