Current topic:
Random Drug Testing for Drivers
Why Background Screening is Especially Important for These Employees
March 2008
The Augusta Chronicle recently addressed the decision by Aiken County in South Carolina to add random drug testing to the regular background screening procedures applied to county workers who drive a county car.
Those who've fought the testing argue that adding random drug testing for employees who might not have shown any sign of drug use violates workers' Fourth Amendment protection from unlawful searches. Drug testing employees has been a controversial legal subject since Congress passed the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, which helps employers tailor policies on the subject.
But what these individuals need to keep in mind is that mishaps behind the wheel account for a large portion of accidents and fatalities on the job every year. In fact, with behind the wheel accidents coming in as the second leading cause of workplace fatalities, random drug testing isn't the only background screening procedure that ought to be applied to drivers.
For smart employers, the standard drug testing and criminal records check is supplemented by a DMV records check for employees who drive. And, waiting until after an accident to implement drug testing doesn't protect the employee, or an innocent victim, who could be seriously injured or killed in a car or truck accident.
Finally, employees who use drugs on the job are 3 times more likely to cause an accident of some kind, and 5 times more likely to file a workers' comp claim when they do, making more aggressive forms of background screening an issue of safety and financial security for most employers whose employees drive.
The county had already applied pre-employment testing and post-accident testing to their employees, but by adding random drug testing Aiken County is more likely to save lives, protect citizens, and ensure the financial stability of their county.
Call EBI to discuss background screening for your firm through a custom program to suit your company's needs.
Our thorough background screening programs can make the difference in helping ensure you're candidates are who
they say they are
Criminal records searches. Random drug testing. Reference checks. Everything for a comprehensive picture of your prospective employees.
Call us at 800.324.7700 for details.
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