With marijuana legalization legislation passing across the United States, many employers have questions about how these laws will impact their employment practices. CredentialCheck, a reputable and accredited background screening company, has answers.
Marijuana is now legal for medical and/or recreational use in a majority of the United States—and the trend of legalization is likely to continue. Some U.S. jurisdictions have even decriminalized the substance. No matter how an employer personally feels about the issue, they must ensure they are aware of local regulations, employee rights, and their rights as an employer.
CredentialCheck strives to clarify new legislation and help companies avoid costly missteps. That’s why clients across the nation rely on them for occupational health screenings, drug tests, and more. They recommend that employer’s study up on the latest laws in place wherever they have staff. For example, some laws explicitly note employer’s right to prohibit marijuana use, possession, and distribution in the workplace or while on the job. However, it’s important to note that regardless of marijuana’s legalization status, companies retain the right to fire employees for illegal use, especially if they pose a threat to others. Just as an employer may fire someone for drinking alcohol during work hours, they may fire them for using marijuana—although exceptions may exist for medical use.
Likewise, CredentialCheck recommends that employers familiarize themselves with the regulations surrounding random employee drug testing. Typically, random testing is only permitted if there is reasonable suspicion of substance use or if the employee regularly operates heavy machinery. Reasonable suspicion includes slurred speech, erratic behavior, and reports from another employee, among other things. However, if a random test for marijuana turns up positive, the employer has no way of knowing whether the drug was used during work hours. An employee can only be terminated legally in such circumstances where there is an established and clear drug policy in place.
Call (888) 689-2000 to learn more about CredentialCheck’s drug and occupational health screenings for employers. Details about their background check solutions are also available online. Their team is based in Troy, MI, and serves companies across the United States from a diverse range of industries.
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Company Name: CredentialCheck
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Phone: (888) 689-2000
Address:575 E Big Beaver Rd, Ste 300
City: Troy
State: MI
Country: United States
Website: https://credentialcheck.com/