17 Common Hiring Mistakes: Part 2
2. Not drug screening
I once hired a personable young man as a CAD designer. One day our customer asked to have him relocate to their site, once he passed a drug test. That’s when we learned that he was secretly a heroin addict! To say we were shocked is an understatement!! This young man had keys to our building for months.
If you think it can’t happen to you, think again.
The website www.drugfreeworkplace.com states that:
- Over 20 million Americans use Marijuana;
- An estimated 6 million Americans use Cocaine;
- An estimated half a million Americans use Heroin;
- An estimated 13 million Americans are alcoholics;
- Almost 1/3 of Americans between ages 20 and 40 have used an illicit drug once in the past year
- Almost 1/2 of Americans Entering the work Force have used an illicit drug once in the past year
Many of these drug users are prominent citizens in our communities. They are business owners, doctors, civic leaders, parents and neighbors.
Consider the profile of a regular cocaine user:
- Well educated [average of 14 years of education]
- Employed [77%] and well-paid [37% earn over 25K]
- 56% engage in illegal activity other than drug possession to support the habit
- 2/3 of drug abusers are employed !!
- Of these, 3/4 are full time
There are a number of different types of drug testing. The price is commensurate with the depth of testing. The easiest and most cost effective test is a saliva test. Next comes a urine test, which is usually performed in a medical office. The most comprehensive test is a hair test, which tests for about 6 months of drug use and cannot be easily masked.
Since alcohol does not stay in one’s system for long, it is difficult to test for. However, most alcoholics eventually get DUI’s or commit other offences, which show up in their criminal background check.
We recommend that your company formulate a drug policy and consistently test new hires per your policy. Doing so will protect you from the carelessness and criminality that often accompanies drug users.
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