Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Business Safe
Making sure your business is as safe and efficient as possible requires a variety of different measures, and one of the most important is undoubtedly employment screening. Whether you’re looking to hire a new worker, or simply want to ensure that your current team is up to par, there are a variety of different types of employment screening that can prove incredibly useful for businesses of all shapes and sizes. From DOT drug screens to non-dot drug tests and beyond, this blog post takes a deep dive into everything you need to know to make sure your business is safe and secure.
When it comes to employment screening, there are a variety of different options to choose from. One of the most important is undoubtedly FMCSA DOT drug screens. These screens are crucial for any business that employs commercial drivers, and are required by law for all CDL holders. These screens help ensure that drivers are able to safely operate commercial vehicles without being impaired by drugs or alcohol, which in turn helps keep everyone on the road safer.
There are also non-dot drug tests to consider. While these are not required by law in the same way that FMCSA DOT drug screens are, they can still be incredibly useful for businesses that want to ensure their employees are operating at peak performance. These non dot tests are typically done through urinalysis, oral fluids or hair and screen for a variety of different substances, from marijuana to cocaine to opioids and beyond.
In addition to these forms of drug testing, it’s also worth knowing about the different types of panels that are out there. A 5 panel drug test, for example, only screens for five specific drugs, while a 10 panel drug test will check for ten different substances. Which of these you choose will depend largely on what your specific business needs are.
Another important type of screening to consider is hair follicle testing. This type of testing involves taking a sample of hair from an individual, which can then be tested for drug use going back as far as three months. While this type of testing is more expensive than others, it can also be more thorough, which is why it’s often favored by businesses that want to ensure the safety of their team members. Hair testing will go back up to 90 days and is ideal for pre-employment and random testing. However, not ideal for reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing since drugs take 7-10 days to grow into the shaft of the hair. Additionally, hair is an observed collection without having to have anyone remove their clothing.
Another interesting option to consider is oral fluids drug testing. This type of testing involves collecting saliva from an individual, which can then be tested for a variety of different drugs. One of the biggest advantages of this type of testing is that it can be done on-site, meaning that businesses can easily test their employees without requiring them to go to a doctor or laboratory. This can save time and hassle for everyone involved, making it a great option for businesses that want to streamline their screening process. Oral fluid testing is ideal for pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing due to drugs manifesting more quickly with oral fluids than urine or hair. Oral fluids is also an observed collection without having to have the donor remove clothing. Since medical professionals typically only observe the same sex, oral fluids is a solution to trans gender or binary individuals.
Of course, it’s also worth remembering that simply knowing about the different types of screening available isn’t enough. You also need to have a drug and alcohol testing policy in place that outlines how and when testing will be done. This policy should outline everything from what substances will be screened for, to how often testing will be done, to what disciplinary actions will be taken if an employee is found to be using drugs or alcohol on the job. If you need a Drug and alcohol testing policy today, contact our Knowledgeable Support Staff at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com
Lastly, it’s important to consider Drug and Alcohol Supervisor Training. Educating your supervisors on how to recognize drug and alcohol use by employees is a key element when implementing a drug testing policy. Your supervisors should be able to identify behavior changes and signs of intoxication as well as implement your company’s drug testing policies. If not, there is great opportunity for a suit to be brought against your company if a supervisor misses a reasonable suspicion case that causes a huge accident or if the supervisor wrongly identifies a reasonable suspicion case without being properly trained.
Employment screening is one of the most important steps you can take as a business owner to ensure that your team is safe and performing at their best. From DOT drug screens to non-dot drug tests, hair follicle testing, oral fluids drug testing, and everything in between, there are a variety of different options to choose from depending on your specific needs. By choosing the right screening methods for your business and having a clear drug and alcohol testing policy in place, you can ensure that your team is safe, happy, and productive. For assistance with ordering a drug screen, physical, drug and alcohol policy or supervisor training, please contact our Support Team today at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com