Handcuff Headlines

It’s no secret that drugs have seeped into the workforce in nearly every industry in the U.S. USA Today recently reported the results of a survey in which 23 percent of U.S. workers who responded say they have used drugs or alcohol on the job.

Opioid abuse in the United States isn’t limited to a single industry or social class. The widespread availability of powerful painkillers claimed lives across the country in every social stratum. That doesn’t mean, however, that the risk of abuse and addiction is distributed evenly.

It’s understandable that some employers might be leery about hiring recovering addicts. After all, if a person’s struggles with drugs or alcohol become overwhelming enough that they had to seek help, who’s to say those struggles won’t return someday?

It’s not just your imagination—more American workers appear to be using drugs.

As of 2019, ten states have legalized cannabis for adults, while 33 allow medical use. That presents complications for employers.

As an employer, you may be aware that the U.S. has a problem with opioids. These powerful prescription drugs have sparked a public health crisis nationwide that claims tens of thousands of lives each year and devastates local communities.

In recent years, the nationwide opioid epidemic has made headlines across the U.S. and forced employers from many different industries to reevaluate their drug screening policies as these medications become more and more prevalent.

Rolling background checks are increasing in popularity for good reason. Companies can’t and shouldn’t rely on outdated screening results for the entirety of an individual’s employment.

As the national opioid epidemic rages on, more and more employers are being negatively affected by drug abuse in the workplace.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to institute a new policy: periodic rescreening of current employees. It’s an HR policy more and more businesses are adopting nationwide, but too many are reluctant to consider.

For most of us, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately, it can also be a dangerous time of the year for some. During the Christmas and new year period, drunk driving accidents increase.

Just a few years ago, Uber and Lyft took the world by storm with their innovative driving service that millennials gravitated to without hesitation. Convenience, ease, and affordability allowed Uber Technologies Inc. to become a staple around the world.