Three Drug Abuse and Detection Trends Employers Need to Know

Posted on April 2, 2013 by firstcontacthr

Quest Diagnostics has recently released a new report on work-related drug testing and the associated trends. The comprehensive report details comparisons between 2011 and the first half of 2012 (January to June) and reveals some striking facts about the state of drug use in a sample of job seekers. The data they collected comes from more than 3.4 million drug tests handled in 2012. Below are the three most significant trends gleaned from the report.

1. Rise in Workplace Substance Abuse

Quest Diagnostics has found that in the first six months of 2012 alone, positive results on drug testing has increased by 5.7% compared to all tests conducted in the previous year. Dr. Barry Sample, Director of Science and Technology at Quest Diagnostic Employer Solutions says “The uptick in U.S. general workforce pre-employment data suggests that employers should be mindful of illicit drug use among prospective employees,” adding, “These findings align with recent news reports citing some employers facing increasing drug positives when recruiting new workers.”

2. Higher Detection Rates When Using Oral Fluid Testing

There is an increasing gap between urine and oral fluid positivity rates. While looking at cannabis detection specifically – the oral fluid test shows 70% more positive test results. The reasoning behind the widening gap between the two tests isn’t necessarily accuracy (although oral tests have improved over time) but that it is much more difficult to “cheat” on the oral test than it is on the urine test because it is done in the presence of the drug test administer. Another reason is that oral fluid tests have the tendency to detect more drug occurrences. Online, there is a wealth of “cheating how-to’s” to help applicants deceive the urine test. Some believe the private time a donor is given to deliver the urine sample is enough time for the donor to alter or substitute their sample.

3. Marijuana and Amphetamines Among Highest Abused Substances

Amphetamines and cannabis continue along an upward trend in detection rates. Cannabis has seen a 15.7% increase in detection from 2011 to 2012 in pre-employment screens and up 12.1% for random drug testing in companies. Similarly, amphetamine usage has increased by 11.7% in the US general workforce.

The increase in positive results is not an ideal situation for most businesses in need of new hires, but the recognition of the trends is something to keep an eye on. This latest report from Quest Diagnostics helps to show just how important pre-employment drug screening can be in this day and age. Employers who do not perform any type of drug test on applicants increase their liability of unfortunate workplace circumstances. Employers can keep current employees and the business safe by appropriately vetting all potential job candidates.

How to Conduct a Proper Employment Background Check [Infographic]

Posted on March 11, 2013 by firstcontacthr

Employers today know all too well the importance of conducting a background check on new hires. Their reasons however may vary as to why they perform background checks. In our recent infographic on “Why You Need to Background Check,” we graphically illustrated some of the reasons for background screening.

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Why You Need To Background Check [Infographic]

Posted on December 17, 2012 by firstcontacthr

Your new potential hire has just left your office following a final interview. You feel great about their attitude and they appear to have the pedigree of a top candidate. They have all the signs for success: a resume full of great experience, stories about converting tough clients, and the charisma/charm and character you’ve only ever read about in hiring books.

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First Contact HR Top Background Screening Trends in 2012

Posted on May 29, 2012 by firstcontacthr

With the increasing number of employers conducting background checks, public concerns have arisen pertaining to the method, use and fairness of such checks in potentially barring applicants from employment.

First Contact HR has compiled a list of the most significant trends that are shaping the background screening industry.

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More Nonprofits Conduct Background Checks, Criminal Hits Decrease

Posted on April 17, 2012 by firstcontacthr

Over the past five years, the hit rate for criminal background checks has been on the decline as more nonprofit organizations background check their new hires. A recent study’s, data showed that from 2007 to 2011, more than 5.4 million background checks we conducted by nonprofits and 22 percent of those checks resulted in criminal hits.

Of that 22 percent (approximately 479,000), background checks revealed very serious kidnapping, murder, sex-related and drug-related offenses. While it is shocking to know that criminals who have been convicted of kidnapping or molestation could be working amongst children, elders and people in need, we know that criminals go where they know they can get in “under the radar” – organizations [they know] do not conduct background checks.

In organizations working with children, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, background checks are a must; the study found that 1,021 of the criminal hits were registered sex offenders, 603 convictions for kidnapping and 1,176 murder offenses.

What’s more is that between 2007 and 2011, 22 percent of those criminal hits also included 91,607 drug-related offenses including possession and distribution and 10,438 sex-related offenses. These figures are certainly eye-opening, but the good news is that these were hits, and thus these individuals were barred from employment at the nonprofits where they applied to work. Additionally, the number of criminals has declined over the past five years by 7 percent, according to the study.

The drop in criminal hits is attributed by the nonprofits’ use of background screening programs. When criminals know that nonprofits are conducting background checks, they seek employment somewhere else, so it is important for nonprofits to speak with background screening providers in order to mitigate risk, protect their reputations and those they seek to help.

How much do you know about your Child’s Daycare Center?

Posted on March 9, 2012 by firstcontacthr

Imagine you discovered the owner of your child’s daycare center was a convicted felony on such crime as battery, assault, domestic violence, grand theft and even manslaughter. Would this information prompt you to pause or re-consider the daycare center you select?

While you might assume that the state in which you live does a thorough background check on daycare owners and employees, you’ll be surprised to know that only 11 states in the U.S. conduct full background checks on potential daycare workers.

In an investigative report conducted by Dateline’s Chris Hansen, many daycares’ true colors were exposed when the investigative team questioned daycare owner’s criminal histories. In one case, it was revealed that Brighter Beginnings Pre School in Clearwater, Florida owner, Melissa Van Cleave has convictions for battery, domestic violence and a DUI, yet is still able to run her daycare.

Under The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, arrest records should only be used as a bar from employment if pertinent to the position. Child care-related crimes such as sex abuse, battery and manslaughter, for example, could be a bar from employment in the child care industry. Even if your state conducts a background check on a daycare center, it’s important as a parent to ask the right question such as the type of background check conducted, do research, and occasionally visit the daycare unannounced.

Here are some surprising statistics about background checks and child care providers:

About 12 million children under the age of 5 are in some type of child care setting every week.
Children may be cared for by an adult other than a parent for 35-45 hours each week.
21 states do not conduct fingerprint checks.
43 states do not check the sex offender registry for child care staff.
24 states do not conduct a fingerprint check for family child care providers.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sources:

http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/02/10556385-is-someone-with-a-criminal-past-running-your-kids-day-care

http://childcare.about.com/od/childsafe2/a/backgroundcheck.htm

http://www.eeoc.gov/

You Ask, We Answer

Posted on February 23, 2012 by firstcontacthr

First Contact HR staff answers common questions we get on background checks, drug testing and other HR industry practices. Got a question? Ask us at info at FirstContactHR dot com

Question #8: Should I fire an individual for having a positive drug test result?

Every company has different policies. Some find termination as the only answer for a positive drug screen, as drug use is an immediate breach of company policy. On the other hand, many companies now offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), which include drug and alcohol counseling and treatment.

For more questions and answers, visit www.FirstContactHR.com and just Ask!

You Ask, We Answer

Posted on January 27, 2012 by firstcontacthr

First Contact HR staff answers common questions we get on background checks, drug testing and other HR industry practices. Got a question? Ask us at info@FirstContactHR.com

Question #7: What is a Chain of Custody and why is it Important?

This is the detailed documentation of the drug screening process, which accounts for the integrity of each step of the procedure, by tracking the handling and storage of the specimen from collection to disposal.

This multi-part medical document, with assigned barcode numbers, facilitates the process and documents by whom, when and for what purpose the specimen was handled. Clinical labs will not proceed with a drug screen if they recognize the chain of custody has been broken. With a fully executed Chain of Custody, the drug screen result is completely and legally defensible.

For more questions and answers, visit www.FirstContactHR.com and just Ask!

Tennessee wants to Drug Test Welfare Recipients, why not Lawmakers?

Posted on January 11, 2012 by firstcontacthr

In response to a bill that would require welfare recipients in Nashville, TN to take a drug test, some lawmakers want to add politicians to the mix and submit them as well. What seems like a fair way to balance the scale could turn out to be an expensive response since drug tests (resulting in negative outcomes) are paid for by tax payers.

Those individuals with positive results (guilty of using drugs) will be held responsible for the cost of the drug test. Welfare recipients who test positive will lose their benefits.

Video by WVLT-TV:

You Ask, We Answer

Posted on January 10, 2012 by firstcontacthr

First Contact HR staff answers common questions we get on background checks, drug testing and other HR industry practices. Got a question? Ask us at info@FirstContactHR.com

Question #6: How long do drugs stay in an individual’s system?

Drugs do not typically remain in the body for very long. Often no more than 24 – 72 hours, depending on the frequency of use and the individual’s body functions. Marijuana is the exception, staying sometimes from several days to several weeks, again depending on the circumstances. However, through hair analysis, drugs are detectable up to 90 days after drug use.

For more questions and answers, visit www.FirstContactHR.com and just Ask!