Dec 8, 2017, 1:39 PM
(from Society for Human Resource Management) Desperate to fill open positions, some employers are beginning to soften zero-tolerance drug policies, particularly for jobs where safety is not an essential function. Low unemployment and increasing use of illegal drugs are narrowing the pool of qualified workers in many regions and industries. State laws allowing medical and recreational use of marijuana are complicating recruiters' efforts to find drug-free employees, as is the continued abuse of prescription opioids. The percentage of job applicants who test positive for illegal drugs in the U.S. is also increasing, from 3.7 percent in 2012 to 4.4 percent in 2016, according to Quest, a major testing company. When all reasons for testing are combined, almost 5 percent of the general workforce tested positive for one or more drugs in 2016. ... Before relaxing zero-tolerance drug policies, make sure everyone in the company leadership supports the move and how to deal with the consequences.
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