Benefits of Drug Screening for Employers

Drug and alcohol abuse costs U.S. companies billions of dollars every year. The use of drugs can pose a risk for people at work since there is an increased chance of on-the-job injuries and accidents. Drug screening and drug testing give both employees and employers the ability to make the workplace a productive and safe place. There are a number of benefits to why it makes sense for there to be drug screenings at work. 

Promote a Safer Workplace

There are negative impacts to drug use at work and it is unsafe for the employees due to reduced reaction time, increased accident rates, and impaired decision making. Drug use during work time impairs judgment and can lead to double the amount of workers' compensation claims. Drug testing will allow for those who haven’t been using drugs to operate heavy machinery and handle sensitive workplace information to keep everyone safer. 

Create a Healthier Workplace

Drugs come with a number of health risks. Screening can make for healthier individuals at your company and this benefits lives outside the office. 

Increase Productivity

Employee drug use can decrease productivity because of absenteeism and low morale. Employee absenteeism is reduced by drug testing programs. Employees know that the company is committed to providing a safe work environment by drug screening, which also helps increase morale. 

Lower Costs for Employees

Drug testing benefits employers with lower costs for employees and promotes a better work culture. Doing pre-employment drug screenings is a way to reduce turnover due to drug use. If drug users aren’t able to perform duties on the job then many will either quit or end up fired. Turnover is costly to any company. Those who have had three or more jobs in five years are also twice as likely to use drugs. Having a drug-free workplace promotes a better positive work culture, and it makes your company a place where people want to work. 

Protect the Company from Workers Comp Claims

Your company is liable if an accident happens due to drug use since you didn’t provide a safe working environment. If you require your employees to go through drug screenings then you are able to identify those employees who could be a threat and protect your business from damaging lawsuits. If a worker is injured on the job then he or she is typically entitled to claim workers compensation to cover lost wages and medical bills. However, if you are able to prove that the employee uses drugs and is likely the cause of the accident then that employee may not be entitled to the benefits, which saves you money. It’s possible that you are worried you are going to be sued for wrongful termination if you fire an employee who fails a drug test but the test proves that the termination is justified and this can also save you from an expensive lawsuit. 

Testing Helps Users Get Help and Treatment

If you are testing your current employees, it can be tempting to fire any worker that tests positive. However, you may use this as an opportunity to help get workers into treatment centers to offer compassion, instead of a punishment. Some companies even help families of employees with a drug problem and help them get the resources needed in order to cope. This can make your company stand out and promote a better work culture as well.

The benefits of drug screening outweigh the costs. The increased productivity and safety of your workplace make for a much healthier environment for your employees. Just noting that your company does perform drug testing is typically enough to dissuade drug use in your company. If workers need to decide between drug use and their livelihood then chances are they will make the right decision. In order to implement a drug testing policy, the company should understand who and when to drug test since there are different reasons for testing. Policies need to be clearly communicated to employees, along with any disciplinary consequences that happen for those who test positive or refuse to test. This written and clear policy needs to be shared with all employees and there should be employee education regarding the dangers of drug use. 

Reasons Why You May Need an Employment Lawyer

There are a lot of things that employees and employers must deal with on a daily basis. But when the lines of employment cross negatively there will be some actions that will require the services of employment lawyers Hamilton. The federal and state laws govern some of what happens within the workplace. And depending on your role within the company, you might need the services of an employment lawyer. 

When an Employee Will Need a Lawyer

If you are an employee and are wondering when a lawyer is needed to represent you, then here are some of the instances when their services will be needed. 

• You should hire an employment lawyer if you are being harassed, attacked, or even discriminated against by the company.

• If you believe your termination was illegal and was based on illegal reasons.

• A lawyer should be consulted before signing any agreement that you are being forced to sign.

• You find out that the company has failed to pay any and all benefits to you that you are guaranteed to have by being an employee of the company.

When an Employer Will Need a Lawyer

There are many reasons why an employer would need to hire the service of an employment lawyer. They can help navigate companies through the mess of federal and state laws that companies have to abide by when dealing with employees. Some of those reasons can include:

• Any type of representation that involves bargaining with employees or their lawyers over issues within the workplace or financial matters.

• If you are the company has had a complaint filed related to discrimination or harassment against you.

• You would need a lawyer if your employee has decided to sue you or bring any kind of action against you that is employment-based.

• You would also need a lawyer if you are planning on firing a block of employees, remove benefits or even change retirement benefits.

• Any other issue that involves legal matters and employment-based issues.

Employment lawyers are people that stand ready to help you navigate the issues of employee and company issues. In a perfect world, people would be able to work out their differences with fairness and grace. But in reality, there are many times when a third party is needed to help navigate and come to a balanced agreement that is fair for everyone involved and even answers all the questions from both sides.

Simple Steps For Hiring An Employee

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Hiring a new employee for your business is always a challenge. It is important for you to consider a lot of different factors when hiring someone to join your team, and there are many steps to take for a successful hire. Today, we are going to run through the simple steps you should take to hire a new employee this year. 

Step 1 -  Job Description

The first step to take towards hiring an employee should be writing a job description. A job description is the advertorial feature of your listing, and in order for it to capture the attention of job seekers, it needs to be AMAZING. 

There are many elements you need to add to your listing:

• Key responsibilities

• Company background and ethos (define the atmosphere of the workplace)

• Salary and Benefits

• Minimum Requirements 

When creating a job spec, you should always add the salary because this is a huge draw for job seekers. Money is always the most crucial aspect of job hunting and if you offer a great wage and benefits, you should show this off to draw people in. 

Step 2 - Spread the Word 

Once you have created a killer job description, you need to share this with the world and start drawing in potential employees. There are several ways you can share a new job title, and using more than one channel is always a good choice because you will be able to gather a wider net of possibilities. You can share a listing with an agency, on your website, on LinkedIn, through social media, and even at a job fair. The wider you cast your net, the more likely you are to hire a prize-winning tuna. Weird analogy aside: share your job as many ways as possible. 

Step 3 –Prepare for Interview 

If you have never given an interview before, this part of the hiring process might be a bit of a challenge. Interviews are often the most daunting part of job hunting and many candidates will be nervous when they enter the room.

As an employer, it is a good idea for you to make the candidate feel at ease. Sit at a table or with a coffee on the sofa of your office and have a chat with the candidate. As well as asking them questions about their experience and background, try to find out a few things about them as a person. For example, ask the candidate if they have any hobbies, and when they share a hobby with you it will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of who they are as a person.

An employee needs to be a rounded package of friendly, personable, and talented. Their personality and ability to fit in with your team is just as important as their skills and experience. 

Step 4 -  Pre-Employment Screening

Before hiring an employee, background checks are a must. Once you have employed a new member of the team, they will have access to your business assets including the computer network and all of your data. If you make a call without a background check, you are at risk of hiring someone who can’t be trusted and this is a huge risk to your business. This is why it is a good idea for you to click here for background checks on employees before you hire them. You will be able to check for a myriad of things and ensure that the employee is safe for work.