Should employers stop testing for marijuana?

Testing for Marijuana at Work has become a hot topic as more states legalize its use. Many argue that marijuana is just like alcohol, pointing out that alcohol is a bigger problem and yet remains legal. Others claim that what an employee does on their own time shouldn’t matter. Some even dismiss concerns by [...]

Does “negative-dilute” mean he passed the drug test?

Some people try to cheat drug tests. Not most people. Then again, most people don't need to! But many who are worried about it work very hard to game the system. Why Are So Many Drug Tests Negative? Nearly 10% of all full-time workers in the U.S. are illicit drug users. Yet only 3.8% [...]

How to Speed Up Drug Testing and Reduce Hiring Delays

“We just want to get the testing done so we can put people to work,” a frustrated HR manager recently told me. “How long does your lab take?” That’s really what it’s about, isn’t it? When a critical process is the bottleneck, it’s aggravating. Particularly when a business has high turnover, or a rush [...]

Pre-employment drug testing may not guarantee a drug-free workplace

Pre-employment drug testing may not guarantee a drug-free workplace It helps, but many users get through. Here’s how. Drug users call us regularly. It’s pretty obvious who they are. They ask how long drugs can be detected in urine or hair, and will often pay for their own drug tests to find out if [...]

Can Post-Accident Drug Testing Lower Workers’ Comp Costs and Improve Safety?

A worker has an accident. Someone may or may not be hurt. Perhaps the incident could have been averted with a decent random testing program, but it’s too late to think about that. Note to self: “Add random testing program to next week’s company meeting agenda.” The Legal Advantage of Post-Accident Testing Now what? [...]

Fence or Ambulance? The Role of Drug Testing in Preventing Workplace Tragedies

Would you rather build a fence at the top of a cliff, or park an ambulance at the bottom? That’s why we wear seat belts. It’s why we cook our chicken thoroughly. It’s why we watch our blood pressure and cholesterol. And it’s why we create safe workplaces. We want to prevent tragic events [...]

Drug testing does not fit our company culture

Drug testing does not fit our company culture I hear this from time to time when speaking with people at reputable companies. Maybe it’s just me, but the irony strikes me in such a way that I’m certain my facial expression is visible even over the phone. What is company culture anyway? About.com puts [...]

Legal Weed, Lost Job, and a Lesson in Employee Drug Policies

Reading a recent post in “The Pot Blog” (which covers legal, political & social changes as they relate to legalized marijuana in Washington state), I was somewhat taken aback by the series of events that  occurred in Spokane when a gentleman openly displayed the four grams of marijuana he had legally purchased. That it was pot and that he paid [...]

Presenteeism: The Hidden Threat to Workplace Productivity and Safety

The Cost of Presenteeism in the Workplace Occasionally, you may go to work even though you’re feeling a bit “off.” Maybe it’s a cold or your stomach isn’t quite right. You may even be running a fever. But the thought of missing a day on the job creates more anxiety than it’s worth. So [...]

Positive Drug Test: What Employers Need to Know and How to Respond

Occasionally, our clients ask if a positive drug test results in trouble with the law. No, we don’t call the police, but that doesn’t mean all is well. Sometimes an individual tests positive for cocaine or some other illegal drug. Are we obligated to turn the person in? Thankfully, no. We’re not trained in [...]