Hiring the right employees is one of the most important decisions an employer can make. A poor hiring decision can lead to workplace accidents, productivity loss, legal liability, theft, increased turnover, and damage to your company’s reputation.<\/p>\n
To reduce hiring risks, employers commonly use drug testing<\/strong> and background screening<\/strong>. While these two processes are often mentioned together, they serve entirely different purposes.<\/p>\n Many employers mistakenly believe that a background check includes drug testing\u2014or vice versa. In reality, they are separate screening services that provide different types of information about a job candidate or employee.<\/p>\n This guide explains:<\/p>\n Whether you manage a small business or a nationwide workforce, understanding these differences will help you make smarter hiring decisions.<\/p>\n Drug testing<\/a> is the process of analyzing biological specimens to determine whether an individual has recently used illegal drugs or certain prescription medications.<\/p>\n Unlike background screening, drug testing evaluates current or recent substance use<\/strong>, not a person’s past history.<\/p>\n Employers commonly use laboratory-certified drug testing to:<\/p>\n The most widely used workplace drug test<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advantages include:<\/p>\n\n
What Is Drug Testing?<\/h2>\n
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Common Types of Drug Tests<\/h2>\n
Urine Drug Testing<\/h3>\n