Month: July 2012

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Background Checks Criminal Records Drug Screening Human Resources Miscellany preemployment screening Recruiting Staffing Uncategorized

President Signs Bill Outlawing Synthetic Drugs

For those who conduct drug testing as a background check for their employment screening program, I am sure you are aware of the new synthetic drugs that have reportedly caused some very bizarre behavior.

President Obama just signed into a new law making “Bath Salts,” and synthetic marijuana, known as “K2 or “Spice,”” illegal.

According to the posting by our drug screening partner, Quest Diagnostics,…….”Use of synthetic marijuana is alarmingly high. According to data from the 2011 Monitoring the Future survey of youth drug-use trends, 11.4 percent of high school seniors used Spice or K2 in the past year, making it the second most commonly used illicit drug among seniors.

In 2010, there were 2,900 calls to U.S. poison control centers related to synthetic marijuana. In 2011, there were nearly 7,000 calls and 2,800 calls through May 2012.

For the full article please click on the following link.

The new law will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to take enforcement action against the manufacturers, importers and sellers of these products. However, Federal and State authorities will need to remain vigilant and continue to update their list of prohibited substances as manufacturers continue to make chemical modifications to get around the new legislation. Based on recent information presented at the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) national meeting in Boston last week, it already appears that some of the latest products have a chemical structure designed to circumvent this latest legislation.”

 

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Background Checks Criminal Records Economy Human Resources Miscellany Motor Vehicle Records preemployment screening Recruiting Staffing Uncategorized

Corra Group Adapts Services for Trucker’s DOT Compliance Standards

El Segundo, CA (PRWEB) July 10, 2012

As a full service provider for the Trucking and Transportation Industry, Corra Group has adopted a new program for helping its clients meet their DOT compliances standards. The background checking agency has been informed by truckers they are experiencing greater scrutiny by the Department of Transportation in order to assure the necessary standards are met to optimize driver safety on both the interstates and local highways.
“Some of our newer trucking clients have told us the DOT inspector had been reviewing their records to make sure these companies were compliant with DOT regulations,” said Nick Gustavson, Co-Founder of Corra Group. “We don’t know if there has been an actual overall increase in inspections on the part of the DOT or whether these are trucking companies that have compliance issues before or are just being spot checked. Whatever it is, we welcome any efforts that will increase highway safety. Corra Group will work to make sure our clients conform to the standards established by the Department of Transportation.”
Gustavson noted that Corra Group is adjusting its services to accommodate the increased needs of the newly founded trucking companies that are springing up around the country. “Brand new companies are signing up,” he said. “Some of the newer trucking firms are started by former employees at traditional trucking groups who have decided to go out on their own.

 

For the complete Public Relations Release click here to go to the following link.

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Background Checks Economy Healthcare Employment Advice Human Resources Miscellany preemployment screening Staffing Uncategorized

Mechanic Gunned Down in Workplace Violence Incident

A mechanic in Mckeesport, PA was gunned down when two men entered the workplace and opened fire.   Here in a city suffering through a bad economy and trying to rebuild itself, two idiots have to cast this horrible blight on the town by needlessly taking someone’s life.   One man was killed and another seriously wounded.  It’s just a horrible incident and one more that can be added to the growing legacy of workplace violence.

I have written about workplace violence many times.  A recent article was entitled, “Indicators of Potential Workplace Violence.”  It is a major concern for employers, not just in the United States but in other parts of the world.  Be it an in-house act of violence, where an employee assaults his fellow workers, or an external intrusion,  the escalating emotional and financial damage is inestimable.

An article in the Trib Live News, reported…”Meade, known as Volt, had long been a fixture in McKeesport as a business owner. People there expressed sadness about his death and concern and shock about how he died.”

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Background Checks Criminal Records Human Resources Miscellany Staffing Uncategorized

Indicators for Potential Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is a growing concern.  Not only in the United States but in other countries as well, employers are addressing issues related to workplace violence.    Workplace violence is tragic and costly, and of course highly disruptive.

I have written about workplace violence many times. One such article is entitled “Workplace Violence is Not the Greatest Career Move.”  That article related to a California Deputy DA threatening her manager with violence.   Lovely.

Leslie Sexer, in her article for Greenwich Citizen, lists some of the signs that an employee may resort to workplace violence.   Her list at times are the more obvious signs, which are good to read for galvanizing and unifying one’s overview of a potentially violent situation.  And some signs that Sexer lists are more subtle and can possibly go unnoticed.

Sexer writes…”During difficult economic times, employers need to be in tune with how employees are managing their stress in all domains of their lives, especially if layoffs are imminent.

For example, if an employer knows that an employee is dealing with stress at home and at work, and is drinking, the risk of violence increases.”