With the increasingly competitive labor market, Talent Acquisition teams are searching for ways to fill open roles with qualified candidates as quickly as possible. One of the challenges is the time it takes candidates to complete a hiring process, from initial screening to the job offer. Many employers are taking steps to speed up the hiring process, using tools like AI to screen and interview candidates. But Talent teams must balance the need to improve Time to Fill metrics with building a workplace safety culture and achieving their business goals.
A key component in achieving these goals is pre-employment drug screening—a process designed to evaluate the substance use history of potential employees. By screening applicants for drug use, employers can help to protect their employees and ensure that their business runs smoothly. Pre-employment drug screening can also help employers avoid legal culpability. Suppose an employee is injured on the job or causes an accident. In that case, the employer could be liable if the employee was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.
If your company is part of industries such as transportation and healthcare, these organizations are legally required to drug test their employees to comply with federal or state laws. For example, the US Department of Transportation requires all CDL drivers to undergo drug testing before working in a safety-sensitive position.
With more states passing legislation decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana, the significance of pre-employment drug testing has ignited debates about the role of pre-employment screening and employees’ right to privacy.
If your Talent Acquisition team is thinking about revamping your drug testing programs, it can be hard to determine where to begin. After all, this is only one element of an effective screening program. Whether this is your first time hiring a background check service provider or thinking about making a change, we’ve got you covered.
Our latest guide, ‘An Employer Guide to Understanding Pre-Employment Drug Screening’, covers some of the basics of pre-employment drug testing, the common screening methods, and the process that third-party drug screening companies use to manage failed drug tests. Our guide also includes legal considerations for pre-employment drug screening, how to navigate the new laws around marijuana, and some best practices for updating your company’s workplace safety program.