Evolving cannabis legislation makes employee drug testing trickier than ever. But if an employee fails two drug tests in a row, it’s probably safe to move forward with termination, right? That’s likely what company leaders at Airgas USA were thinking when they fired a worker who tested positive for marijuana – and then tested positive […]
Picture this: You found the perfect candidate for a safety-sensitive position – or so you thought. But then his pre-employment drug test revealed the use of opioids. What’s your best move? If you’re like many safety pros, you might’ve decided to go in another direction. That’s what an industrial manufacturing company in Texas did. But then […]
The use of recreational and medical marijuana is an evolving area of employment law, which can make things a bit tricky for employers trying to maintain safe working conditions. In light of the rapidly changing laws, a lot of folks are probably wondering: Can we fire an employee who is impaired at work? Here’s how […]
The Biden administration announced that it is recommending opioid overdose reversal agents, like naloxone, be included onsite for emergencies at all federal facilities going forward. Guidelines for Safety Station Programs in Federal Facilities is the administration’s latest attempt at “a whole-of-society effort to prevent fatal overdoses, reduce stigmatization associated with addiction, and save lives.” This […]
Ohio became the 24th state to pass a law legalizing recreational marijuana. However, nothing in the new law requires an employer to accommodate employee use. Citizens of the state voted to legalize recreational marijuana on Nov. 7, 2023 for adults 21 and older, making it legal to cultivate, sell, purchase, possess and use the drug. […]
California employers will no longer be able to make inquiries about job applicant marijuana use, beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 700, making it illegal under the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) for an employer to discriminate against an applicant based on prior use of cannabis that is […]
On-the-job overdose deaths in the U.S. have increased 536% since 2011, making this kind of fatality a very real concern for employers. To help combat this alarming trend, the National Safety Council (NSC) launched a new workplace safety program, the Respond Ready Workplace. The program was designed to increase awareness of the need for naloxone […]
Recreational marijuana is legal in Maryland as of July 1, 2023, with the new law allowing adults 21 or older to use the drug while off duty as long as they don’t report to work while under the influence. The law also has some restrictions making it illegal to smoke in public areas, vehicles and […]
Minnesota has legalized recreational marijuana and will protect all employee off-duty use of cannabis beginning Aug. 1, 2023. The state has had a medical marijuana law since 2014 that prohibits discrimination against medical marijuana users. Under the new recreational marijuana law, individuals 21 years old or older are allowed to possess or transport up to […]
