The Monitor - Hire Image Newsletter
The Monitor
Spring 2014
Greetings!
 
As we say goodbye to winter and welcome spring, there is a lot happening in the world of background screening and drug testing. Your Hire Image team understands how difficult it can be for employers to keep up with the ever changing regulatory landscape. We hope to keep you informed with our quarterly newsletter on the latest happenings in the background and drug screening areas.
 
Medical marijuana laws have prompted many employers to raise questions about drug screening policies in the workplace. While the laws and policies are far from clear, employers do have the right to perform drug screening on applicants and employees. Our main article in this issue of "The Monitor" addresses this newsworthy and thought provoking topic.
 
We are also pleased to feature helpful guidance from Karyn Rhodes, Vice President of HR Consulting with the business advisory firm Cornerstone Group, on steps to consider when implementing a drug-free workplace policy. 

For your convenience, we've updated the federal, state and local happenings with items such as the newly released EEOC and FTC publication about discrimination compliance, new "ban the box" legislation and restrictions on the use of credit information in employment-related decisions. We have also included a reminder of FCRA compliance, as we have seen an increase in class action cases involving non-compliance with the FCRA. Click on the links to the right of this message to stay on top of it all.
 
The Hire Image Team is here to assist you with all of your employment and drug screening needs.
  
  
 Happy Spring,
Christine signature 
Christine M. Cunneen
Chief Executive Officer
Hire Image LLC
Schools 
Going Green: 
More States Introduce Medical  Marijuana Laws 
 
There are a number of reasons for upholding a drug free workplace. Increased productivity, fewer errors, and a safer working environment are just a few of them. With an increasing number of states passing laws legalizing medical marijuana, employers are raising a number of questions and showing various concerns about what this means for their desired drug free workplace. While the laws and policies in place are far from clear, employers do still have the right to perform drug screening on both their current employees and prospective applicants.
 
Marijuana is legal or decriminalized in twenty states, and twenty-one states and territories in the US have medical marijuana laws in place. As more states begin to follow this growing trend, we will
see more and more employers facing the complicated features surrounding the issue. Even though the use of marijuana is legal on some statewide levels, it is still illegal under federal law. Federal law supersedes state law, allowing employers to terminate an employee after a drug screening reveals THC in their system, regardless of the state law. These situations are arising all over the United States, including Colorado, which is the first state to legalize both recreational and medicinal use of marijuana.
 

Instituting a Drug- Free Workplace Policy
 
By Karyn Rhodes of Cornerstone Group
 
Drugs and alcohol in the workplace can be challenging to handle. They have a significant impact on business and on your bottom line. According to the US Department of Labor, alcohol and drug use costs American businesses roughly $81 billion in lost productivity per year due to premature death and $44 billion due to illness. Approximately 86% of these cases are attributed to alcohol. 
 
Employers need to do what they can to keep drugs and alcohol use out of their workforce. Having a formal policy and following drug screening procedures are essential in protecting your workplace.
   
A few steps to follow when instituting a drug-free workplace policy:
  • Your drug-free workplace policy should clearly stipulate what the penalties for policy violations will be. If your policy includes a drug testing program, spell out exactly who will be tested, when they will be tested, and what will happen to employees who test positive. 
  • Every one of your employees should receive and sign a written copy of your drug-free workplace policy. Verbal agreements and unsigned agreements have little legal standing.
  • Make sure that you, and all your supervisors, receive proper training in how to detect and respond to workplace drug and alcohol abuse.
  • Maintain detailed and objective records documenting the performance problems of all your employees. Such records often provide a basis for referring workers to employee assistance programs.
RiskManagement
8 Reasons to Drug Test

According to the American Council for Drug Education (ACDE), more than 70% of substance abusers hold jobs, and Americans use 60% of the world's production of illegal drugs. That means there are many opportunities for employees and potential employees to engage in illicit use - perhaps affecting your workplace and your company's bottom line.
 
Substance abusers increase the risk of accidents, lower productivity, raise insurance costs, and reduce profits. The ACDE cites statistics that they are 10 times more likely to miss work, and more likely to be tardy. Substance abusers are also 3.6 times more likely to be involved in on-the-job accidents, five times more likely to injure themselves or another worker in an accident, and five times more likely to file a worker's compensation claim.
 
8 Reasons to Test 
Companies that use drug screening as part of their hiring and human resources programs benefit from:
  1. Increased productivity
  2. Reduced turnover
  3. Reduced tardiness
  4. Reduced absenteeism
  5. Safer work environment
  6. Saving valuable time during the hiring process
  7. Hiring only drug free employees
  8. Reduced health insurance and workers comp costs

AboutHire
About Hire Image
Hire Image LLC is a specialist in the field of background screening, drug testing and verification services. Our priority is to provide timely background screening reports, thus enabling clients to make well-informed hiring and/or retention decisions. We work with organizations nationwide, from small businesses and associations to large corporations, in all industries. Our clients are best served through our exceptional support system and customized reporting, which is tailored specifically to meet their needs. By considering ourselves a partner with each client, our success is based upon their success.
 
 
 
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 Hire Image News
Hire Image Co-Founder To Run in Boston Marathon

 
 
As we reach the one year anniversary of the tragic Boston marathon bombing, our co-founder Tom Tomlinson is raising money for the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, which aided many of those injured on that horrible day. Tom will be running in the 2014 Boston Marathon on April 21st to honor those who have suffered. Please consider donating to his team here:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hire Image Welcomes Lauren McKnight to Staff
 
Coventry, RI native Lauren McKnight joins Hire Image as marketing and business services assistant. Her key responsibilities are to implement day-to-day marketing strategies, support new business outreach, and manage the company's social media postings, blog and website.
   
In May 2013, Lauren received her bachelor's degree in psychology from The University of Rhode Island (URI). During college, McKnight served as a peer advisor for URI's psychology department and a teacher assistant.
   
She is a member of the Northeastern Human Resources Association and is on the communications committee of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners.
   
When she isn't working, she enjoys dining at new places, dancing, doing Pilates, and outdoor activities.