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Industry Facts & News

10 Aug

Did you know that according to Quest Diagnostics, the number of employee drug test results showing up positive for drug abuse are at the highest they’ve been in twelve years? This reporting (which was were based on more than 10 million workforce drug tests) shows that cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana have all shown increases in use across every testing category, and within nearly every specimen type. This increase in positive drug tests is putting a lot of pressure on companies that want clean workers—and it’s actually putting pressure on the economy as a whole. So, What’s Causing The Increase? It’s difficult to be...

12:05 / DOT Testing / Industry Facts & News
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01 Aug

For many, the idea of having to complete and pass a pre-employment drug screening for a new job is something thought to exist only for government jobs—not regular everyday jobs. However, more and more employers are including drug screening as a part of their interview process to ensure the applicant is truly the kind of person they want working for their company. Employers should consider making a drug screening a requirement for all job applicants because nowadays, it can be costlier and more of a hassle not to. The truth is, if you don’t administer a pre-employment drug test, you don’t really...

14:14 / Industry Facts & News
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20 Jul

Since 1989, DOT drug testing regulations have been set firmly in place. And until December 2016, there was a tedious five-part paper form to be completed as part of the submission process. Last year, National Drug Screening announced that DOT employer drug testing would be “going paperless”, meaning labs were approved by the Department of Health and Human Services to electronically process drug tests for employees. This is something that employers have been wanting for years, and technology finally caught up with industry demand in 2016. While an announcement from eight months back may seem like a long time ago, companies are still newly...

16:31 / Industry Facts & News
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13 Jul

As of early 2017, several large motor carriers—Dupré Logistics, Maverick Transportation, Knight Transportation, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, and two others—began petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to allow hair follicle drug testing instead of urine testing. Their reason? They claim that hair follicle testing is more effective than urine drug testing when it comes to stopping individuals who abuse drugs from getting truck driving jobs. Trying To Keep Drug Abusers Off The Road While these petitioners began their plea in early 2017, they’re still working hard to get the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to clear this request. Their point is...

16:49 / Industry Facts & News
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05 Jun

Let’s say an employee is fired after their drug screening comes back positive for drug use. Typically, the first thing that employee is going to do is to try and collect unemployment benefits from the company that fired them. Whether or not they’re allowed to do this depends on a few things, but what your written drug-free workplace policy has to say about it is definitely a factor. If you’ve done your written drug-free work policy correctly, it should already state what to do in this situation. Most workplace policies include that, because drug abuse is misconduct and therefore a violation of...

12:27 / Industry Facts & News
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23 May

Would you know exactly what to do if one of your employees had a drug screening and it came back positive? Do you immediately fire them? Do you offer them assistance through the company? What happens, exactly? If you don’t know, that’s a problem. In delicate situations such as drug screenings, if the matter is handled incorrectly—meaning, not according to an established drug-free workplace policy—a company could be sued by the employee and potentially lose money, time, and reputation. Why Is Having A Written Policy So Important? By having a written drug-free workplace policy that outlines everything to do with your drug testing...

16:02 / Industry Facts & News
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04 May

Every good drug testing program should have a Medical Review Officer, or MRO, in place. An MRO is the physician who reviews drug test results for drug testing companies, and they are a very important part of the drug screening process. A regular doctor isn’t able to do this specialized job—only a trained and licensed MRO can perform these duties. But what exactly does an MRO do that a regular doctor doesn’t? This is a common question from companies who seek out a drug compliance program. MROs are Highly Qualified and Know All Regulations MRO services begin when a lab sends a drug test...

09:58 / Industry Facts & News
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04 Apr

Distracted driving is a major problem on roads all across the country. According to the National Safety Council, as many as 40,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016, a 14 percent increase since 2014 due in large part to a boom in distracted driving. Thankfully, the NSC is shines a light on this epidemic every April with Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Driving while distracted might not seem like a big deal, but even taking your eyes off the road for a second can cause serious problems. And those issues can be especially troublesome if you're a professional driver. The...

11:47 / Industry Facts & News
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01 Mar

Marijuana use might seem like a taboo for many, but more and more states are siding with pro-pot advocates by legalizing recreational and medical marijuana. But how does that impact safety-sensitive professions occupied by truckers, limousine drivers, public transportation drivers, and others regulated by the Department of Transportation? You can indulge in the drug all across the country, but what is the DOT's policy on marijauana? And how have these evolving state policies impacted the DOT's required drug and alcohol tests? If you're looking for answers, New Era Drug Testing is here to help. Read on for a primer on the...

15:36 / Industry Facts & News
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10 Feb

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has plenty of regulations for workers in the trucking industry and other positions requiring a commercial driver's license (CDL). And while you're probably aware of its drug and alcohol testing requirements, you might not know about its drug and alcohol supervisor training requirements. If you're confused by the DOT's training requirements, you're in luck. The team at New Era Drug Testing are experts in DOT drug testing, alcohol testing, and training. And we're here to help with your required drug and alcohol supervisor training needs. What Is DOT Drug &...

11:36 / Industry Facts & News
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