september 2023

September 2023

Inside the September Issue

 

 

Drug Testing Urinalysis vs. Oral Fluid Testing
BY YVETTE FARNSWORTH BAKER, ESQ.

When making decisions about workplace drug testing, one of the big choices is deciding what bodily fluid sample to test. One of the most longstanding test samples is the urine test, but does longstanding always mean best?

One problem with urine testing is the dilemma of the observed collection. Urinating is an extremely private matter and no one wants to be watched while doing it. However, total privacy during the collection of a urine sample opens the door to drug test cheating.

When an individual has complete privacy to submit a urine sample, they can dilute the sample, add substances to it, use synthetic urine or use urine from another person. Collectors have methods to attempt to combat these tricks, but they are costly, time-consuming and are not fool proof. Employers also feel much more secure when acting on a positive drug test rather than on a diluted or potentially tampered test.

There are some individuals with a legitimate medical condition that makes it difficult for them to produce a urine sample on command, called “shy bladder” or paruresis. Paruresis affects about 7 percent of the population; there are some individuals seeking to skirt a urine test who claim the inability to urinate but have no medical reason for doing so. Handling such employee issues with respect is complicated, timeconsuming and costly.

Location
Urine testing at the workplace is tricky, and more often than not, it is done at a collection site away from the workplace. While not impossible, organizing a location in the workplace where urine collection can be hygienic and free from tampering is complicated. Frequently, water sources are turned off, and dyes are used in toilets so that an employee cannot dilute their urine sample with outside water. Collectors need a place in close proximity to monitor for tampering and to collect the sample from the employee as quickly as possible.

At the same time, having employees travel to and from a collection site takes time and costs money, which can impact productivity.

Historical drug use
Another con to urine testing is that, for some drugs, historical drug use is captured much more reliably than recent use. Marijuana is an example of one such substance. Full story »

 

 

today's news

Transwestern to Manage Health and Tech Centers

BSM Staff | 09.29.23

DENVER – Transwestern Real Estate Services has been awarded the property management assignment of Colorado Health & Tech Center’s location in Greenwood Village, Colorado, a 175,000-square-foot office building.

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Now Boarding: Cintas Names Head at BWI ‘Best’

BSM Staff | 09.29.23

CINCINNATI -- Ready to fly. Cintas Corporation, has named Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport the winner of the 2023 America’s Best Restroom contest.

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Zo Plumbing Hiring to Meet Expansion Needs

BSM Staff | 09.29.23

WASHINGTON – As it expands its services to residential homes and commercial businesses in D.C., Zo Plumbing and Drain Cleaning is scaling the business with newly opened plumber positions.

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Trane Augments Control System with BrainBox AI

BSM Staff | 09.28.23

DAVIDSON, NC -- Building owners and operators looking for energy efficiency can now augment their controls systems with artificial intelligence (AI) that reduces energy consumption and minimizes carbon emissions.

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NYS, ASSP Honor Triangle Fire Victims in NYC

BSM Staff | 09.28.23

PARK RIDGE, IL -- Anchored to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire that killed 146 garment workers in New York City more than 100 years ago, the ASSP will participate in a memorial dedication to be held at the site of the disaster.

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ISS Reaches Food Waste Cuts Goal

BSM Staff | 09.27.23

COPENHAGEN – ISS, a workplace experience and facility management company, has made significant progress on its global food service sustainability targets with a collective 30 percent food waste reduction from its 2019 baseline.

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