Handcuff Headlines

Too many employers don’t stop to consider what they will do if an on-the-job accident occurs. Serious costs can be incurred in the form of insurance premiums and deductibles, workers’ comp, and even lawsuits.

If you’ve seen the news lately, you know why it’s more important than ever for businesses to implement thorough, professional, ran­dom drug testing programs.

Random drug testing is often a difficult practice to approach for businesses in all industries. Both established and growing businesses need the same questions answered in regard to how they should implement a random drug-test program.

Random drug testing is a secure method to regularly protect your company from drug-abuse related problems. Random drug testing—commonly referred to as spot testing—is not disclosed to employees beforehand.

In the past two decades, drug addiction and overdose-related deaths have been on the rise. More recently, opioid addiction in particular affects more employers and families every day.

Many are hopping on the CBD band wagon, especially in states where legislation hasn’t passed to legalize marijuana in its truest form. However, it should be noted that CBD oil is not legal in all 50 U.S. states.

A law firm is a seemingly an ironic place to screen employees for substance abuse or addiction. Long hours and the drive to build a portfolio of victorious cases has proven to motivate lawyers to resort to alcohol or drug use.

As we approach the new year, HR departments are preparing to update hiring processes and screening methods. As you probably already know, addiction does not discriminate. Executives and professionals across the corporate hierarchy can all fall victim to substance abuse.

According to the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance, substance abuse is a major issue for small businesses across America.

DallasNews.com recently reported on the rates of positive drug test results among Texas workers, and the news wasn’t great. Overall, about 4.7 percent of Texas workers included in the sample group tested positive for drugs—a number higher than the national rate of 4.2 percent.

Kush. K2. Spice. Fake weed. Synthetic cannabinoids go by many names, but whatever you call them, they’re becoming a big headache for employers.

Many employers are understandably hesitant to institute random employee drug screenings even though most have the right to do so. The reasons behind the hesitation are simple: Random drug screening costs money, and it’s a hassle that both employees and most employers would prefer to get by without.