Pre Employment Drug Testing FAQ
Pre employment drug testing is becoming a more and more common hiring requirement.
| It is estimated that 98 percent of Fortune 200 companies have implemented some form of employee drug testing during their recruitment process.
Recruiters estimate that about 60 percent of new hires are required to take a drug test today. |
Here we answer the most frequently asked questions about drug testing for hiring purposes.
Is employment drug testing legal?
Most employers have fairly wide latitude when it comes to pre employment drug tests and the current emphasis on drug free workplaces encourages this. Each state has its own laws governing employment drug testing which employers should follow. Generally these allow for drug testing of job applicants provided the applicants know that the testing is part of the hiring process for all employees. Some states require a formal conditional offer of employment be given to the applicant before testing can take place.
Often notification of pre employment drug testing is given on the application form which the candidate signs. Sometimes separate specific notification is given at the first interview.
What about the applicant’s rights to privacy?
The US Supreme Court has held that both blood and urine collection are minimally intrusive and not harmful to job applicants when conducted in the right environment (workplace or collection facility) without direct observation by the tester. In other words it would be considered an invasion of the candidate’s privacy if the employer required a urine sample while other people were in the room watching. However if there is a worry about tampering with the sample the employer may be allowed to have one person of the same sex as the candidate present when the sample is given.
A drug test result may be considered personal health information and there may be restrictions on how and whether such information can be shared.
What other rights does the applicant have with regard to the drug testing process?
The applicant’s basic rights extend primarily to the right to privacy as stated above and the right to question the legitimacy of the test result including the right to pay for further testing at a lab of their choice. You may have additional rights depending on your individual circumstances as well as State regulations.
Are all job applicants for the company tested for drugs?
| Discrimination can be implied if an employer tests only certain applicants for a position. An employer cannot pick and choose which applicants for the same position will be tested. However within a company employment drug testing may be required for only certain positions. |
The company would have to be able to justify this in terms of the job requirements and a written drug policy for the company should include this.
Must the prospective employer have the applicant’s consent for a drug test?
If the employer tries to test an applicant in an underhand manner without the applicant’s knowledge or consent this can cause legal problems. For example an employer is not allowed to pick up strands of hair that an applicant has left on a chair back during the interview and use them as a sample for a drug test.
What happens if an applicant refuses to be tested?
Most companies include a clause in their pre employment drug testingpolicies or in their notification of drug testing that specifies that a refusal to be tested will be treated as a positive result and the same criteria as a positive result will be applied to the applicant.
What happens if the applicant is not able to provide a urine sample at the time of the test?
Usually the applicant will be asked to remain at the collection center and drink measured fluids until able to produce a sample.
What prescription drugs can interfere with the Five-Screen test and how is this dealt with?
Certain over the counter medications can interfere with accurate results. These include ibuprofen and ephedrine-based products. Most drug testingcompanies will ask the applicant in advance what medications they have recently taken. The applicant should list these carefully. If the medication has compromised the result of the drug test the sample is automatically retested using a methodology that will identify the drug type. The applicant can present a doctor’s prescription for the medication that can be reviewed by the medical officer. Some medications will preliminarily test non-negative, but the confirmatory tests will rule out any non-illegal substances
Employers cannot discriminate in their hiring practices based on an applicant’s use of prescription medication for legitimate medical purposes. Such discrimination could be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Can applicant’s “beat” the drug tests?
Certain internet sites give advice on how to supposedly dilute or adulterate urine samples. Most of these suggestions do not work and are easily identified in the testing process. Even if the specific drug is successfully masked the product or method of tampering itself can be detected.
Pre employment drug testing has become an accepted part of the final hiring decision. Know what this means for job applicants.
source: best-job-interview.com
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In: Job Search Advice · Tagged with: Application Form, Conditional Offer, Direct Observation, Drug Test, Employee Recruitment, Employment Drug Tests, Fortune 200, Free Workplaces, Health Information, Hiring Process, Invasion, Latitude, New Hires, Offer Of Employment, Personal Health, Regard, Test Result, Urine Collection, Urine Sample, Us Supreme Court
Most Popular College Majors
Deciding on a major is one of those tough choices college students face. Mainly because it is an important one, as changing majors can cost lots of time and money.
Many newer students are unsure about their futures, making the most popular major for incoming freshmen being “undecided”.
This is mainly because many College students do not have any idea of what they want to do after college. This is why you will see some students take general recommended classes and other prerequisites first, to get them out of the way.
The most popular majors fall into the categories of business, social science and education.
Top 10 Majors:
- Business – Business Administration and Management is the most popular selected major. Business also includes finance, marketing, and accounting, which has a high demand right out of college. This can get you good paying job right from the start, especially with a business degree from a top business school.
- Social Sciences and History – This includes anthropology, economics, geography, sociology and political science.
- Education – Elementary Education is the most popular, as many of these majors go on to be K-12 classroom teachers.
- Psychology – There seems to be two types of Psych majors. Those who are really into psych and those who see psych as an easy major and therefore an easy way to graduation. Many psych majors don’t technically go on to work in the psych field, but other related careers where the skills of such major can come in handy (ex: human resources, public relations, market research and sales).
- Nursing – The nursing field is competitive, and some programs may have wait lists. However, you are pretty much guaranteed a job when majoring in nursing due to the severe shortage of nurses.
- Communications – also includes journalism, communications is one of the fastest growing majors in College.
- Biology – Biology majors do a lot of research and development and work in a laboratory or the field. Common employers of biology majors include: hospitals, national & state parks, universities, pharmaceutical companies, research firms, aquariums and zoos.
- Engineering – A major that usually produces a high salaried job from the start. But, plan on taking very aggressive math and science courses with this major.
- English – An English major can be involved in copywriting, editing and teaching, but not just limited to that. Also a good gateway degree to graduate school, or law school.
- Computer Science – A highly technical field involving a lot of advanced math and computer courses. Though, many universities have seen sharp drops in their computer science majors.
One thing to remember is your career will not always be related to your college major, but it can help prepare you for a career.
source: campusgrotto.com
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In: Careers · Tagged with: Anthropology, Biology Majors, Business Business, Business Degree, Classroom Teachers, College Biology, College Majors, College Students, Elementary Education, Incoming Freshmen, Political Science Education, Prerequisites, Research And Development, Shortage Of Nurses, Social Science, Social Sciences, Sociology, Time And Money, Top Business School, Tough Choices
Career of the week: Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers: Career, Salary and Education Information
Career Profile: What do Biomedical Engineers do?
Biomedical engineers combine biology, medicine, and engineering and use advanced knowledge of engineering and science to solve medical and health-related problems. Biomedical engineers design massive MRI machines along with the microscopic machines used in surgery. They research and develop prostheses, evaluate the use of artificial organs, and improve instrumentation used in hospitals and clinics.
An increasing demand for cost-effective medical products should boost the demand for biomedical engineers, particularly those working in pharmaceutical manufacturing and research. The best job prospects are expected for biomedical engineers with master’s degrees in the field.
A Day in the Life of a Biomedical Engineer
Working in teams, either with other engineers or with research or manufacturing professionals, biomedical engineers create the specialized products that save lives and make patients safer and more comfortable. Many biomedical engineers are in research, assisting life scientists, chemists, and other scientists to develop and evaluate medical systems and products.
A sophisticated level of scientific and technical knowledge is required for biomedical engineers, who bridge the gap between medicine and engineering. Attention to detail is another important skill, along with communication and team ability.
Biomedical Engineer Training and Education
A bachelor’s degree is the first step for engineers because most careers in the field require the degree as an entry level requirement. Biomedical engineers often combine formal training in mechanical and electronics engineering with focused biomedical training to operate confidently in the field. Unlike many engineering fields, many entry-level biomedical engineers hold a master’s degree.
Some schools provide undergraduate degrees in biomedical engineering and ypical coursework includes instruction in neuroengineering fundamentals; biofluid mechanics; engineering electrophysiology; diagnostic imaging physics; and drug design, development, and delivery. In addition to core courses, students can take electives related to their ultimate career goals.
Biomedical Engineer Employment & Outlook
Of the 14,000 biomedical engineers employed nationwide, most are employed in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing. Other large employing groups include pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, scientific and research development services, and general medical and surgical hospitals.
Although some engineering specialties are expected to rise slowly or even decline in the coming years, biomedical engineers should see growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 21 percent growth for biomedical engineers, with an estimated 3,000 new careers created in the industry through 2016. The demand for increasingly sophisticated medical devices is behind the predicted employment increase.
Biomedical Engineer Salary
Biomedical engineers saw mean annual earnings of $79,610 in 2007, according to the BLS. Those working in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing saw slightly higher salaries, at $81,950, while those working in scientific research and development earned $92,870. Careers with the most competition often require applicants to have a master’s degree.
source: collegegrad.com
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In: Careers · Tagged with: Artificial Organs, Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Engineers, Bridge The Gap, Career Profile, Career Salary, Education Information, Electronics Engineering, Engineer Salary, Engineer Training, Engineers Design, Life Scientists, Medical Products, Medical Systems, Microscopic Machines, Mri Machines, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Sophisticated Level, Specialized Products, Undergraduate Degrees
