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Wednesday, April 20 2022
The Importance of Maintenance Screening for Texas Businesses

Maintenance screening is key to a healthy business.

 

Here in Texas, many employers rely on this important practice to keep their teams in check. This article will outline the importance of maintenance screening for your employment base.

 

What Is Maintenance Screening?

Maintenance screening is simple in theory. In practice, however, too few businesses perform it.

 

What is maintenance screening? Essentially, it involves screening employees who are currently on the payroll for areas of concern. The idea is to make sure all team members can continue to perform their job tasks—that is, to ensure they haven’t done anything that might disqualify them for the position.

 

Say you own a fleet of delivery drivers, or maybe a taxi company. Maintenance screening might involve drug tests, criminal background checks, and other searches to make sure those who need to maintain a valid driver’s license have done exactly that.

 

If, during the maintenance screening process, you find that one of your employees has been arrested for DWI, violent assault, sex crimes, or something else, you’ll know that they are no longer eligible to work for you.

 

What Does Maintenance Screening Entail?

Maintenance screening should be consistent across your organization. This means running the entire employment base at the same time. Rather than selecting team members randomly, maintenance screening should cover the entire company simultaneously.

 

It should also occur at a predetermined time—say, at the beginning of each fiscal or calendar year. An expert third-party can jump in and conduct:

 

  • Motor vehicle records searches
  • Social media checks
  • Drug tests
  • Verification services

 

Maintenance screening is a fairly seamless way to make sure your whole team can continue doing the good work they do. It’s designed to help pinpoint red flags, though not all offenses are fireable. In the case of verification services, maintenance screening might simply identify a soon-to-be-lapsed license. The team member can usually address this quickly with ongoing training. Sometimes it really is as easy as dropping by the DMV.

 

For employers who identify something of serious concern, be sure to have a conversation with the team member involved. Naturally, you can’t have a driver continue to operate a motor vehicle after a DWI arrest—but you can sit down with the person and have a conversation, human-to-human, while you address the matter at hand. In an ideal world, this means each party should understand where the other is coming from.

 

What Industries Conduct Maintenance Screening?

All businesses in Texas and nationwide will benefit from a comprehensive background screening program.

 

Maintenance screening, while important across the board, is especially important in certain industries. These industries include:

 

  • Transportation
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Staffing
  • Nonprofit

 

You’ll find that sectors involving driving, operating heavy machinery, and working with vulnerable populations benefit the most from maintenance screening. However, these are checks from which all employers can extract value.

 

Don’t wait. Screen your employment base today, and make sure everyone is qualified to continue working the jobs they do. You’ll alleviate stress and maximize safety by doing so—both in the workplace, and in your community.

 

Build Your Maintenance Screening Program in Texas

Interested in building a comprehensive maintenance screening program for your employment base?

 

Curious about the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team can guide you through every step of this process. No matter your industry, we’ll work with you to craft the exact solution you need—saving you time and money, and reducing turnover and liability as a result.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information on our screening services, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Posted by: AT 02:34 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Monday, April 18 2022
Drug Screening Your Employees in San Antonio

Readers can also view this post on our subsidiary website DrugScreenKits.com.

 

Did you know that over 2 million people live in Bexar County—and that as many of 74% of drug users nationwide are currently employed?

 

Every year, drug abuse costs U.S. employers billions of dollars. Employers right here in San Antonio and the surrounding area are no exception. This, however, doesn’t have to be the case for your team.

 

A comprehensive drug screening program can help.

 

Drug Screening in Bexar County

Drug tests are essential to employers here in San Antonio. They keep people who abuse drugs from building our infrastructure, teaching our kids, and caring for our loved ones.

 

But when, exactly, should drug screening occur? A combination of pre- and post-hire screening will generally yield the best results. Some of the best times to require drug tests are as follows:

 

  • Pre-Employment

Often, a negative drug test is a condition of future employment.

 

  • After an Accident

Employers should require drug tests after an accident to rule out the possibility of drug use.

 

  • With Reasonable Suspicion

Managers who reasonably suspect their staff may be using drugs can request testing.

 

  • Randomly

Some companies follow a random employee drug testing program. The process should be randomized, computer-generated, and unbiased.

 

  • On Return-to-Duty

Employees who fail a drug test and go on to receive treatment may be required to submit a negative return-to-work drug test. Testing in the months that follow may be required as well.

 

  • Before a Promotion

Some companies choose to screen their employees for drugs as a condition of a promotion.

 

Why Is Drug Testing Important?

In Bexar County, the benefits of implementing a drug screening program are expansive and include improvements in:

 

  • Employee Safety

Companies that require employees to drive, use heavy machinery, or perform any sort of manual labor generally require drug testing to protect their staff. The Department of Transportation (DOT) upholds specific testing requirements, but plenty of industries don’t. This means it’s up to the employer to be proactive in safeguarding their team.

 

  • Customer Safety

Failure to screen your employees for drugs could result in a number of problems surrounding customer safety. A lack of awareness as a result of drug use could result in a data breach, for example. And physically too, team members who abuse drugs present a greater risk to customers. Employee drug tests are integral to building customer safety and trust.

 

  • Company Safety

Some businesses wonder whether drug tests are “worth the money.” While on the surface they may seem like yet another business expense, the truth is that a drug screening program is well worth the investment. Higher productivity, reduced turnover, lower Workers’ Compensation premiums, and decreased liability are just the beginning.

 

Another important consideration is to make sure your drug screening policy is readily-available to all team members in writing. Employees should understand the disciplinary consequences of a positive test, just as employers should provide team member education on the dangers and risks of drug and alcohol abuse. Keeping everyone in the loop is vital.

 

Build Your Drug Screening Program Today

Is your San Antonio business interested in developing a custom drug screening program?

 

Would you like more information about the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team will walk you through every step. Look no further if you’re hoping to create or elevate your drug screening program. We’ll work with you to curate the exact solution you need, so that your team can focus on the work your organization has set out to do.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. 

Posted by: AT 09:33 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, March 24 2022
Texas Pre-Employment Screening: Background Checks in Austin

Austin, Texas is home to a fantastic group of employers. To build a solid team, companies need to attract skilled candidates and hire the very best workers around.

 

This is where pre-employment screening comes in.

 

Background Checks in Travis County

With over 1.29 million people, it makes sense that an appealing pool of employees call Travis County home. Businesses in Austin and the surrounding area can conduct pre-employment background checks to screen for:

 

  • Honesty on the applicant’s resume.
  • The proper licensure and qualifications.
  • A clean criminal history and driving record.
  • References and so much more.

 

A comprehensive background check will confirm the applicant is truthful, well-qualified, and unlikely to be problematic down the road. We mentioned the value of honesty—and it’s important to note that education and employment verification services can bring to light any half-truths or outright lies in a seemingly ideal candidate’s application.

 

The idea is to save your organization time and stress, and to protect you from issues surrounding turnover and liability. In Travis County and throughout Texas, pre-employment screening is absolutely essential.

 

Why Is Pre-Employment Screening Important?

Austinites, listen up: Without pre-screening your staff, you could be putting your business at risk. These are just some of the value-adds of building a background check program:

 

  • Increased workplace safety

Background screening can bring to light any red flags in the applicant’s history. This will help protect your people and property by reducing workplace violence and theft.

 

  • Reduced corporate liability

Did you know that you can be held liable for failing to vet your staff? This could result in massive legal costs and even a “negligent retention” liability (where one employee claims their employer failed to terminate another team member who has shown problematic behavior).

 

  • Fewer bad hiring decisions

A thorough pre-employment screening program can shed light on the applicant’s character. This will show whether or not they’re trustworthy, ensure they’re qualified for the position in question, and keep your HR staff confident that they’re making the best possible decisions.

 

  • Lower turnover

We all know that high turnover costs businesses time and money. Conducting background checks can decrease turnover by making sure you’re filling each position with a person of high character and confirm the new hire is well-suited for the role at hand.

 

Generally speaking, the better the position fit, the longer your new team member will stay with you. Doing a little extra work during the hiring process can bring massive benefits in the long term.

 

Again, this is where background screening comes in. Pre-employment screening is important for businesses of all sizes. Be sure to find a custom, consistent solution to cover all your bases. Your Austin business will be on a path to better hiring in no time!

 

Build Your Background Screening Program Today

Is your Austin business interested in developing a custom screening program?

 

Would you like more information on the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team will walk you through every step. A reminder that conducting your own pre-employment background checks isn’t recommended, as a company’s risk of being sued is much higher when they don’t partner with a vendor that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

 

So look no further if you’re hoping to create or elevate your pre-employment background screening program. We’ll work with you to curate the exact solution you need, so that your team can focus on the higher-level work your organization has set out to do.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information.

Posted by: AT 01:12 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, February 22 2022
Pre-Employment Background Checks in San Antonio

The secret’s out, and employers in San Antonio are looking to build teams they can trust.

 

But how?

 

It’s simple: Pre-employment background screening is a seamless way to hire reliable, honest, well-qualified people. This article will outline the importance of pre-employment background screening in Bexar County.

 

What Are Pre-Employment Background Checks?

Pre-employment background screening uses a job applicant’s name, date of birth, and social security number to collect the individual’s personal information from databases and other sources.

 

Generally speaking, a pre-employment background check includes:

 

  • Verification services

Verification services extend across the board. They’re used to confirm the candidate has provided their legal name and social security number, and to ensure the applicant is being truthful about their employment history, education, licensure, and other qualifications.

 

  • Criminal records search

Dating back seven years—or longer if the applicant is on a sex offender registry or government watchlist—this portion of a pre-employment background check provides a thorough picture of the candidate’s criminal background. This means you’ll also learn whether they’re on probation.

 

  • Reference checks

San Antonio employers value their team members’ character. To get a sense of the candidate’s work ethic and performance, pre-employment background screening should include reference checks—with each reference providing their take on the person’s integrity and productivity.

 

  • Motor vehicle records search

This pillar of a pre-employment screening program is especially important for applicants who would be driving or operating heavy machinery on the job. The search is meant to determine whether the candidate has been involved in traffic accidents or received any driving citations.

 

  • Drug testing

Looking to screen your staff for drugs? Testing before you extend an employment offer is a great way to make sure you hire the right people. Click here to learn more about all the different drug test kits you have at your disposal.

 

Using the above information, a background check provider will craft a simple, thorough report on the job candidate that the employer can review before making a hiring decision.

 

Why Is Pre-Employment Background Screening Important?

Of course you want to make informed hiring choices, maintain a safe workplace, and comply with legal and industry regulations. The benefits of pre-employment background screening touch on these benefits and more.

 

Here are just some of the reasons Bexar County employers should screen their applicants before reaching out with an offer:

 

  • Make sure the candidate is qualified.

Beyond ensuring they have all the necessary skills and qualifications for the job, you can determine whether the applicant has embellished their resume. This practice is more common than you would think, and a sign that your dream candidate might not be the employee you assumed.

 

  • Lower your business’s liability.

We’ve discussed the benefits of maintaining a safe workplace—of protecting your assets, team members, and reputation. Pre-employment background screening will in this way reduce your corporate liability. From unnecessary lawsuits to lower insurance premiums, the benefits of these checks are truly expansive.

 

  • Prevent unnecessary turnover.

By avoiding bad hires, you’re also preventing needless turnover. Hiring the wrong person costs businesses time and money, not to mention frustration. Making the effort to screen for the right person early on will save you stress down the road. Both parties benefit from pre-employment screening, so don’t skip this vital step in the hiring process.

 

Start Your Pre-Employment Screening Program in Bexar County Today

Ready to start screening potential new hires?

 

Redstar Backgrounds can help. Located in the heart of Bexar County, our expert team adheres to Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Texas regulations to make sure companies stay compliant. Speed, accuracy, and seamless customer service are simply an added bonus.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Posted by: AT 12:29 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Friday, January 07 2022
Screening for Volunteers in Texas

Does your organization conduct volunteer screening?

 

Skipping this vital step can be a major liability. This article will highlight why it’s important that you screen your volunteers.

 

Why Screen Your Volunteers?

It’s no secret that churches, hospitals, schools and other organizations depend on their volunteers to succeed. In addition to their paid staff, they rely on volunteers to perform their core tasks.

 

Recruiting volunteers is therefore essential—and this process shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s imperative that groups perform the proper screening measures, from interviewing candidates to performing background checks and checking references.

 

Screening is especially vital for groups that serve vulnerable demographics like children, seniors, and the disabled. It might also be a key component of grant compliance, a Medicare or insurance requirement, or an organizational strategy for improving retention. There are many, many reasons to screen your volunteers.

 

Above all else, screening volunteers will help preserve your organization’s reputation and keep your people safe. When we say “people,” we’re referring to the community at large: the individuals you serve as part of your mission, and your fellow staff and volunteers.

 

Volunteer Screening for Churches

Church leaders want to cultivate a safe environment. A background check provider can help protect your members from unsafe, unprofessional, or downright predatory behavior.

 

In particular, ministries with youth programs have an obligation to make sure they only welcome trusted members of the community. A thorough screening program will bring peace of mind to parents and other leaders. It will show them that you take a proactive approach to promoting safety, and it may even convince them to choose your ministry over another.

 

Additionally, a policy of conducting background checks will deter predators from applying to volunteer with you in the first place. Carefully screening your volunteers should be a top priority.

 

Volunteer Screening for Summer Camps

Many of us have fond memories of attending summer camp as a child. Those long, hot days seemed magical—basking in the sun with fellow campers and counselors, gathering outdoors and learning about the world around us.

 

Parents who want the same experiences for their kids typically opt for camps with a screening program in place. Just like with churches, background checks are crucial at camps. They help prevent criminals from applying to work with children, and ensure the youth in these programs’ care are protected.

 

If you don’t have a comprehensive screening program in place at your camp or youth program, now is the time to develop one. From fingerprinting to drug testing to criminal records checks, you’ll want to make sure you welcome only the most trustworthy volunteers.

 

Volunteer Screening for Non-Profit Organizations

Here’s the thing about non-profits: They work to do a world of good, but they come in many different shapes and sizes. These groups focus on a range of causes, and some have more resources than others.

 

Those strapped for funds and labor may feel they need to welcome any volunteer who comes their way—but not so fast. You want to make sure you protect your finances and your people above all else, and this means screening potential board members and other volunteers who come your way.

 

Just consider volunteer screening an investment in the future of your non-profit organization. Fast and reliable, the right solution can elevate your reputation and help you stay compliant with the law.

 

Build Your Volunteer Screening Program in Texas

Interested in building a comprehensive background screening program for your volunteers?

 

Curious about the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team can guide you through every step of the volunteer screening process. Whether you are a church, a summer camp, a school, or a non-profit organization, we’ll work with you to craft the exact solution you need—saving you time and money, and reducing volunteer turnover as a result.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information on our screening services, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Posted by: AT 11:30 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, November 16 2021
Background Checks and Pre-Employment Screening for New Hires in San Antonio

San Antonio is filled with history, culture, and companies that employ many of the area’s 1.5 million residents.

 

As the seventh-most populous city in the U.S., background checks are essential to these businesses’ success. This article will outline the importance of background checks for new hires in San Antonio.

 

Why Screen New Hires in San Antonio?

Wondering whether pre-employment screening is really necessary? Maybe you inherently trust the person you hope to hire, or you feel your organization is too small to merit background checks.

 

Think again. Pre-employment screening can strengthen your company’s hiring process and help you zero in on candidates who are best-equipped to serve your business (while steering clear of those who might get you in trouble).

 

These background checks typically reveal convicted felonies and misdemeanors from the last seven years; records from the FBI, DEA, and National Sex Offender Registry; and the candidate’s education and employment history. Reference checks are another essential component of new-hire background screening.

 

Partnering with a top-qualified background check provider is key to ensuring a thorough screening process—and to staying compliant. A seamless protocol will help San Antonio employers collect all the information they need on their new hires before they start working.

 

If you’re still wondering whether background checks are necessary, move on to the next section of this article. There we’ll outline the benefits of pre-employment screening.

 

Benefits of Pre-Employment Screening

By developing a screening program for new hires, San Antonio companies can expect:

 

  • Better workplace safety

By putting candidates’ criminal history out in the open, background checks will decrease the risk of violence and theft—increasing workplace safety as a result. With the right program, you’ll rest easy knowing you’ve hired someone who works hard, has a clear criminal record, and prioritizes safety and transparency as much as you do.

 

  • More trustworthy hires

Some criminal convictions are nonviolent but still offer a concerning take on the candidate’s character. If you only want to onboard team members you can trust—and reduce turnover as a result—then a background screening program is integral. Reference checks and employment verification are just the beginning.

 

  • Ideal position fit

No doubt you want to make sure your new hires are the right fit for the position you’re hoping to fill. If the role in question involves a lot of driving, for example, and the applicant has a questionable history on the road, then you’ll need to look elsewhere. Likewise, you wouldn’t want someone known for embellishing the truth to, say, handle company money.

 

  • Fewer legal expenses

Hoping to decrease your legal costs and overall liability? Then be sure to vet your employees before you hire them. That’s right: By foregoing background checks, you can actually be held liable for employing someone with a criminal history. Additionally, if you fail to terminate a team member with problematic behavior, you can be held liable for “negligent retention.”
 

So a word to San Antonio businesses—don’t let background screening pass you by. No matter the size of your organization, you’ll want to implement a detailed and consistent protocol for new hires. Redstar Backgrounds can help.

 

Develop Your Pre-Employment Screening Program Today

Is your San Antonio business ready to build a custom new-hire screening program?

 

Would you like insights into the services available at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team will guide you through every step. Look no further if you’re hoping to create or elevate your current background check program. You can expect speed, compliance, and accuracy throughout—not to mention fast results.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Posted by: AT 08:14 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, November 10 2021
A Deep Dive on Maintenance Background Checks

The maintenance industry is vital in our society.

 

But are employers in this sector adequately screening their professionals? This post will highlight the importance of doing just that.

 

Maintenance Workers and Background Checks

Every day, service and maintenance workers protect the country’s public buildings, airports, schools, and other structures. They focus extensively on keeping external problems at bay.

 

It’s equally important, though, to reduce the risk of internal issues. (That’s right: We’re talking issues involving the exact professionals who were hired to keep things running smoothly!)

 

So whether your candidates work in building maintenance or strive to prevent the breakdown of machinery—elevating uptime and productivity as a result—a proper screening program is essential.

 

The truth is that anyone who has access to your people, company property, and proprietary information should pass a background check before starting work. This is by far the best way for employers to eliminate internal threats.

 

What to Include in a Maintenance Background Check

Curious about what to include in a background check for maintenance workers?

 

While the specifics may vary based on the position and size of your company, the following components are an ideal place to start:

 

  • Criminal records check

There’s a reason this is the most obvious thing to look into. In addition to those counties where the applicant has lived and worked, employers should screen their candidates’ criminal history nationwide dating back seven years.

 

This will let you in on everything you need to know about whether the applicant has been incarcerated, placed on probation, or encountered any problems with the law.

 

  • Driving history check

Looking to have the candidate operate heavy machinery or drive a motor vehicle? Then a driving history check is essential. Even if you don’t need the potential team member to drive on the job, the results of this check can be quite insightful.

 

From infractions and citations, to driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the results of a driving history check can offer a window into the candidate’s character.

 

  • Social security number verification

No doubt that you want to make sure the applicant is who they say they are. What better way to do that than to complete a social security number verification check? This will authenticate the name linked to the social security number, and confirm where and when the number was issued.

 

This check uses credit bureau data and is extremely reliable. It can even be used to pinpoint discrepancies in the candidate’s address history.

 

  • Employment and education verification

The unfortunate truth is that some applicants falsify their resumes. This is where verifying their previous positions and earned degrees comes in. By doing so, you will be able to evaluate whether the potential team member is trustworthy and confirm they’re qualified for the job.

 

You may also want to have candidates pass a pre-employment drug test to minimize problems down the road. Click here for more information on drug screening.

 

Ultimately, responsible maintenance employers recognize the importance of background checks. A thorough screening program is an investment in the safety of fellow team members, company property, and the organization’s bottom-line. Don’t overlook it.

 

Build Your Maintenance Employee Screening Program

Interested in building a comprehensive background screening program for your maintenance staff?

 

Curious about the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team can guide you through every step, so look no further if you’re hoping to build a thorough screening program for your maintenance staff. We’ll work with you to craft the exact solution you need—saving you time and money, and reducing turnover as a result.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Posted by: AT 03:53 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, October 20 2021
San Antonio: A Deep Dive on Drug Testing New Applicants

With more than 1.5 million residents, there are plenty of qualified workers in San Antonio.

 

Employers are looking to fill their openings with the best possible candidates, right? And while interviews, resumes, and credentials are key, they might not be sufficient.

 

This is where pre-employment drug testing may come in. By screening prospective staff for drugs, your Texas business can get a better sense of the applicant’s lifestyle and ability to perform safely, ethically, and productively on the job.

 

What Is Pre-Employment Drug Screening?

Pre-employment drug screening determines whether applicants are abusing illegal drugs or prescription medications on or off the job. While employers might use random drug tests for employees, we recommend screening all serious applicants before making a hiring decision.  

 

Typically, the job offer is contingent on passing the drug test. This is important across the board, but particularly in industries that involve driving and the use of heavy machinery—like transportation and manufacturing, for instance.

 

Drug screening may evaluate the applicant’s current or recent use of substances such as:

 

  • Marijuana and THC
  • Opiates
  • Cocaine
  • Amphetamines and methamphetamines

 

Drug tests take the form of urine, saliva, or blood tests. There are other options available as well. Employers can curate their list of drugs they want to test and check for substances other than—or in addition to—those highlighted above.

 

If a drug test comes back positive, you can choose to hire another candidate, or have a conversation with the applicant for more context before making a final decision. Just be sure to prioritize working with law-abiding citizens over those who look well-qualified on paper. Illicit drug use can be highly detrimental on the job and in life, including to those other than the candidate, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

 

How Can New Applicant Drug Tests Help San Antonio Businesses?

Pre-employment drug screening can help Texas companies save time and money, and increase team member productivity. Most importantly, it can promote better workplace safety—reducing the risk of absenteeism and injuries on the job.

 

Think you might not need to invest in new applicant drug screening? Maybe you got a good sense about someone during an interview, or you simply can’t believe a person with the qualifications you’re seeing might use drugs. While it’s important to trust your intuition, pre-employment drug testing is an important step in the hiring process. Don’t overlook it.

 

You see, drug use is prevalent in the U.S. A 2019 survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration revealed that 57 million Americans above age 12 confessed to using illicit drugs in the last year, with more than 35 million admitting to drug use in the last 30 days.

 

These figures are staggering. And since employees who use illicit substances are more often to come in late, miss work altogether, change jobs frequently, or be involved in workplace accidents where others are harmed too, you’ll want to have a pre-employment screening program in place.

 

Better morale, lower turnover, and a more fulfilling company culture are simply an added bonus.

 

Develop Your Pre-Employment Drug Screening Program Today

Is your San Antonio business interested in developing a custom drug screening program?

 

Would you like more information about the services available at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team will guide you through every step. Look no further if you’re hoping to create or elevate current drug screening protocol. We’ll work with you to develop the solution you need.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information.

Posted by: AT 01:33 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, October 07 2021
3 Reasons to Screen Your Volunteers in Austin

It’s no secret that many nonprofits and other charitable organizations rely entirely on their volunteers. Some volunteers are among their most loyal donors, or vital board members who make a real difference in their community.

 

Austin is no exception. The people of Bat City do a great job of sustaining the region’s most celebrated nonprofits. They want to help patrons and the world at large.

 

And while most nonprofits inherently trust their volunteers, a pre-screening protocol is still essential. Even if 99% of your volunteers are well-intentioned, law-abiding citizens, you still want to make sure you are only taking on volunteers who abstain from drugs, can pass a criminal background check (unless their service work is court-ordered, in which case they should be placed carefully), and meet the criteria you’ve set in place to serve your local Austinites.

 

With that, here are three reasons to create and implement a volunteer screening program:

 

  1. Protect the people your organization serves.

Does your organization work with vulnerable people like children, the elderly, or survivors of domestic violence? Your goal should above all else be to protect your community. A volunteer screening program can ensure your volunteers are helping for the right reasons, and confirm they’re able to interact with kindness, confidentiality, and empathy on the job.

 

Not only that, but screening your volunteers can increase safety by understanding the risks involved in taking on new people. For example, someone with a poor driving record shouldn’t be transporting your patrons. They might, however, be a sound fit in another role.

 

  1. Cultivate a safe and transparent environment.

Your board and your patrons will be more trusting if your organization actively works to build an environment of safety and transparency. By developing a volunteer screening program, you can make it clear that you have everyone’s best interests at heart—and that you’re taking every step to increase safety while doing the important work you’re known for.

 

Speaking of transparency, as we mentioned above, some volunteers are court-ordered, or mandated to complete community service hours in addition to or instead of prison. These volunteers can make a real difference, but in most cases, they shouldn’t work directly with vulnerable groups.

 

  1. Reduce liability and preserve your nonprofit’s reputation.

Local organizations are generally celebrated in their area—until something goes wrong. To preserve your nonprofit’s reputation, be sure to screen your volunteers and prevent anything untoward from happening internally or externally. You don’t want a volunteer acting inappropriately in public, and you certainly don’t want a volunteer abusing your finances.

 

Again, this is where volunteer screening comes in. And since there is no law in place that protects organizations from volunteer liabilities, volunteer background checks really are essential—both in terms of safeguarding your reputation and reducing liability.

 

Austinites will only trust local organizations until they become a liability. For this reason, screening your volunteers is essential. The right program will help to keep patrons safe and make sure volunteers are placed appropriately, with everyone’s well-being in mind.

 

Develop Your Volunteer Screening Program Today

Is your Austin business interested in developing a custom volunteer program?

 

Would you like more information about the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team will walk you through every step. Look no further if you’re hoping to create or elevate your volunteer screening program. We’ll work with you to curate the solution you need—ensuring your people can do the work your organization has set out to do.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information.

Posted by: AT 01:56 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Monday, August 23 2021
How to Screen Your Staff for Drugs in San Antonio

Healthcare. Aerospace. Bioscience, IT, manufacturing, and other sectors.

 

These are just some of the industries for which San Antonio is known. The sprawling Texas city is home to more than 1.5 million people—and the businesses that employ these residents must do their due diligence in screening their staff for drugs.

 

When San Antonio Businesses Should Screen Their Employees

Reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, better safety, and improved morale are just some of the reasons companies choose to make drug screening a pillar of their organization.

 

Other benefits include less turnover, fewer accidents, and no more negligent behavior as a result of drug use or abuse. Your company will even save money as a result of drug testing, as research shows that drug abuse costs employers a shocking $81 billion per year.

 

That said, you might be wondering when you should be screening your team for drugs. The following list offers a breakdown of when employers should be turning to their drug screening program:

 

  • Pre-Employment Testing

Filtering out potential drug users before they start work can save your company time and money. Screening, in this case, typically occurs after the candidate receives a conditional job offer, but before they begin their new role.

 

  • Random Testing

Some employers prefer a randomized approach to drug screening. This tactic involves staff being selected at random, ensuring a drug-free workplace as a result of periodic, unannounced drug tests.

 

  • Testing with Reasonable Suspicion

Many companies will test their staff for drugs if they have reasonable suspicion that the team member might be intoxicated. This generally occurs when the employee is showing signs of intoxication, like slurred speech.

 

  • Testing After an Accident

In many cases, drug testing is required after an accident that caused fatalities, injuries, or the destruction of property. The objective here is to determine whether drug use might have been a contributing factor.

 

What Are the Different Types of Drug Screening?

Did you know that 70% of the 14.8 million Americans who use illegal drugs are employed? This number might seem staggering—but San Antonio employers can still take a number of steps to keep drug users at bay.

 

It all starts with your company’s drug screening program. Here are some screening solutions to consider:

 

  • Paperless Drug Screening

What if you could oversee your staff’s drug tests online—with real-time updates, all in one place? This automated solution will touch on every part of the drug screen management process.

 

  • Voucher-Driven and Electronic Voucher Drug Screening

In this case, the candidate is given a voucher to complete their drug test, either at an approved location or by submitting a drug screening kit.

 

  • DOT Testing Drug Screening

If you work for the Department of Transportation (DOT), drug tests are unavoidable. They include tab tests for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP).

 

  • Onsite Drug Testing

With onsite drug testing, the employee can show up at an approved testing site, and complete the type (or types) of drug screens they’ve been asked to take.

 

  • Drug Testing Kits

These include oral/saliva drug tests (which feature fast results), urine cup drug tests (a common way to screen for marijuana use), and urine dip card drug tests (a cost-efficient, CLIA Waived solution whereby each card tests for a specific drug).

 

Develop Your Drug Screening Program in Texas Today

Is your San Antonio business interested in developing a custom drug screening program?

 

Would you like more information about the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team will gladly help. Look no further if you’re hoping to create, implement, or improve upon your current drug screening protocol. We’ll work with you to curate the solution you need.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information.

 

Posted by: AT 08:29 am   |  Permalink   |  Email

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