In today’s job market, it’s always exciting to get a new employment offer! Finding a new job often involves applying for dozens (or hundreds) of positions, undergoing multiple rounds of interviews, and then impatiently checking your inbox or waiting for the phone to ring. Many employers require pre-employment background checks and drug tests before you begin work, and a tuberculosis (TB) skin test is also required for certain positions.
Although drug testing is part of our name, we also do a lot of alcohol testing as well. Breath alcohol is what we do most often, however we can also test urine, hair, blood, or even nails for alcohol. In Arkansas if you register .080 BAC (blood alcohol concentration) and you’re driving, you can and probably will be arrested for DWI. For employment reasons the DOT considers a positive alcohol test to be .040 BAC which is half of the state of Arkansas requirements for driving. Most non-DOT employers have also adopted this .040 BAC. Failing a breath alcohol test as an employee generally carries the same consequences as failing a drug test, termination.
Employers have a fiduciary responsibility to protect their personnel and company assets, and it begins by ensuring that every employee is physically capable of performing their job safely. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 guarantees every worker the right to a safe environment, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) ensures injured employees receive benefits.
First Choice is Arkansas’ most trusted third-party test administrator, and we keep a Medical Review Officer (MRO) on staff to verify the accuracy of all test results. We take great pride in our commitment to legendary customer service, and we love helping our clients maintain safe and drug-free workplaces. On the other hand, prescription opioid medications provide much-needed relief for patients recovering from surgery or managing chronic pain. But is it legal to take legitimately prescribed opioids after their expiration date? And if you’re a job seeker, will it cause you to fail a drug test?
