When hiring an individual for a federal government position, a significant emphasis is placed on high-level screening and background checking. This includes a thorough drug test to ensure the potential candidate is not breaking any drug-related laws. Barada Associates offers pre-employment drug testing services for federal government agencies and employers.
Continue reading for more information on federal government pre-employment drug testing laws and regulations.
The Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense requires federal government pre-employment drug testing. These agencies have the highest requirements for their employees, and pre-employment drug testing is mandatory for all government employees.
The DOT also requires the drug testing process to be completed before the employee begins work. The drug testing process has to be done very carefully, and the agencies have to follow the regulations and policies that the Federal Government sets.
Below are the two most common types of drug tests used by the federal government:
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Drug and Alcohol Testing Program is responsible for testing employees who work for the federal government. These employees fall under the Department of Transportation (DOT) jurisdiction.
The DOT drug testing program is a drug testing/screening program for employees who are or will be performing safety-sensitive functions. The primary goal of the DOT drug and alcohol testing program is to ensure that the safety of the American public is protected.
A Non-DOT drug test is a drug test given to a worker in an industry that’s not regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Each individual employer dictates non-DOT drug tests. The employer decides how to manage and run its drug testing program based on its needs. Established companies have this defined in their drug testing policy. The timing and frequency are the employers’ choice, as is the type of testing. They could choose to test urine, oral fluid, hair, or a combination of the three after taking into account applicable legal regulations and considerations.
A Non-DOT drug test is either a 5-drug panel or a 10-drug panel. A DOT drug test looks for five drugs and is referred to as a 5-panel screen. The drugs that are tested for include:
There are currently no federal laws that require private employers to perform a drug test on potential employees. However, the federal government has its own set of rules that must be followed when hiring a candidate for a federal job.
Per the Federal-Wide Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the government requires you to have all new hires take a drug test before and after being hired. This is typically done as a way to ensure that the candidate is capable of performing the job they have been hired for while also ensuring they aren’t abusing drugs while they are doing it.
The government may also drug test candidates if they reasonably suspect that an individual is abusing drugs. This is why some agencies require candidates to take a drug test before the candidate is even offered a job. If a candidate refuses to take a drug test, the agency will automatically disqualify the candidate.
If a job seeker fails a drug screening test, the consequences can be serious. That’s because the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the government agency responsible for hiring government employees, requires all applicants to undergo drug testing prior to employment.
As part of the drug test, OPM requires applicants to not only submit to a drug test, but also to provide a list of all prescription and non-prescription medications they take. Failure to do so can result in the disqualification of their application.
At Barada Associates, we are Indiana’s premier background screening company with years of experience. From our highly trained staff to our extensive network of partners, no company in Indiana offers the level of quality we can.
We partner with a network of reputable national laboratories to offer convenient five-panel and 10-panel urinalysis, hair testing and breathalyzer drug tests at locations across the United States. For HR managers with the relevant experience and policies in place, we can provide instant-read tests for immediate results on-site.
A standard drug test screens for substances such as THC (marijuana), cocaine (crack), methamphetamine (ecstasy), amphetamine, opiates (morphine), PCP, methadone, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants.
If you are in need of drug testing services, we are available and ready to provide you with high-quality service. We understand that when dealing with federal government jobs, there is no room for error, which is why we put such an emphasis on professionalism.
Contact us today to learn more or to request a quote!
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