Last updated : December 16, 2024
The Georgia Department of Labor has laws to protect employees as well as employers. They have passed some new laws this year for unemployment benefits.
The State of Georgia Department of Labor is asking employers to tell them if potential candidates failed their drug test during the hiring process. Businesses can download the form to report failed drug tests on state’s website. Many employers now require pre-employment drug tests before hiring employees. Not only are employers benefiting from the workers comp discounts, they are seeing the benefits of having a drug free workplace. Employers’ risk is lowered by not having to pay unemployment benefits if employees fail a drug test. A drug testing policy has to be in place in order to take advantage of drug testing employees, there is also special training required to drug test for employees you suspect are abuse drugs or alcohol.
In Georgia if you attempt to retain unemployment funds, failing a drug test may be cause for denial of said unemployment funds. In some cases the state of Georgia may opt to notify individuals in question, of drug rehabilitation options available to them.
Pre-employment drug testing and criminal background checks are legal for employers to request in Georgia. The jobless numbers are climbing but so are the numbers that suggest those that are being hired are being terminated due to possible drug abuse problems. This poses a threat to employers who may have employees abusing drugs or alcohol. Many employers are hoping to be able to retain their skilled employees. Training new employees is costly, and with proper rehabilitation, continued employment can be a win win. With the proper drug testing policy you can do this. These pre-employment tests are aiding employers in finding appropriate employees, whose job performance will not be hindered by drug abuse. A pre-employment drug test can be beneficial for potential employees as well. If the candidate fails a drug test they may be convinced to seek rehabilitation services for their betterment.
In light of the benefits to the employer, these employee drug tests, are extremely important. They are in place to show employers if candidates are using illegal drugs that can hinder job performance. Not to worry if you are not abusing drugs, but merely taking prescriptions that were ordered by a physician, just disclose that to the drug testing facilitator and it will be investigated by the MRO. By law prescribed prescriptions are not held against any individual.
There are many reasons that the Georgia Department of Labor laws were put in place. Protection from unnecessary unemployment benefits being paid is just one reason. The Georgia Department of Labor law also helps protect the unemployed as well. The laws allow for protection if you have a disability. Discrimination is not tolerable. Equal employment assures employees that your civil rights will be upheld. The law provides protection from discrimination against race and or religion also. There are fair labor standards so you will be paid a fair wage and overtime wages. There is a family and medical leave act (FMLA) that makes sure employees are treated with respect in family crisis or illness.
The Georgia Department of Labor laws are put in place to help provide for the needs of every employee as well as the employers.
