Last month, Quest Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory service, published a workplace drug study called The Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index™ that revealed an increase in positive workplace drug results. Every year, Quest Diagnostics conducts this survey comparing millions of drug test results. After examining almost 11 million drug test results from 2015, they found that the rate of amphetamine, marijuana and heroin test detection has increased every year for the past four years. While amphetamine and marijuana use increased 44% and 45% respectively, heroin has increased a shocking 146% over the last four years. Quest Diagnostics also found that post-accident positive drug test rates have increased 30% since 2011.
Employers, especially in job sectors that require drug testing, should be wary of these findings. Workplace drug and alcohol policies should be examined and testing results should be reviewed and compared on at least an annual basis. To learn more about this study and how to prevent drug use in your workplace, listen to this week’s Telebrief here.
Also in this week’s Telebrief: What labor issues to look out for during the presidential debates, whether employers can ask job applicants to disclose their salary history, and legally required accommodations for pregnant and disabled employees.
ABOUT THE TELEBRIEFS®
Geared to executives with employee relations responsibilities (HR directors, supervisors, managers, business owners), Labor and Employment Telebriefs® are information-packed 30-minute briefings via the telephone. Telebriefs® provide information and insights to help executives stay current with latest workplace law developments and in front of trends so as to enable proactive policy making and management. On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, from 9 – 9:30 am ET, join Offit Kurman Labor & Employment Chair Howard Kurman, as he discusses developments occurring over the past two weeks that will most significantly impact employers nationwide. The focus is squarely on the practical. Why is this event significant for employers? What are the lessons to be learned or actions taken? These twice-monthly teleconferences are an easy way to stay current and compliant with the latest Labor and Employment law developments that will significantly affect you and your company. Our guarantee: You will learn something useful, on every call! If you have any questions regarding labor and employment issues, please contact
Howard Kurman: hkurman@offitkurman.com | 410.209.6417
ABOUT HOWARD KURMAN
Howard K. Kurman is an employment attorney. Mr. Kurman regularly counsels clients on all aspects of proactive employment/labor issues. He represents employers ranging in size from as small as 20 employees to those employers with geographically disparate locations consisting of over 4,000 employees. Mr. Kurman assures, through regular contact with his clients, that they promulgate and maintain the most effective employment policies that will, to the extent possible, minimize their legal exposure in today’s litigious workplace. Mr. Kurman offers advice on employee handbooks, employment agreements, and covenants not to compete as well as confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. Previously, Mr. Kurman was the chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group.
You can connect with Offit Kurman via our Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages. You can also sign up to receive Law Matters, Offit Kurman’s monthly newsletter covering a diverse selection of legal and corporate thought leadership content.
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