For those who might not be familiar with it, a retail staffing service is an employment company that specializes in hiring workers for retail positions ranging from clothing store merchandisers to big box retailers. This service focuses on hiring applicants with retail experience. They may also train qualified individuals who want to join the retail industry workforce.
How Retail Staffing Works
Retail staffing firms work with retailers to provide employees who are experienced or trained in retail work.
But there’s one thing that makes workers in this industry different: Most of the workers in the retail business are temporary. The fast turnover of workers is one of the biggest reasons why many companies in the retail business depend on retail staffing services for their staffing needs.
This symbiotic business relationship is beneficial to both parties, but it can hurt the retail company, especially if the employees endorsed by the staffing service is a user of illegal drugs.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), substance abuse in the workplace is a growing problem in the retail industry. Heavy alcohol abuse is also reported by 8.8 percent of retail workers. Additionally, a September 2019 report from Quest Diagnostics reveals that the “retail industry tops list with highest overall (drug) positivity rate” from 2014 – 2018.
Given this scenario, retail companies must require drug screening for retail staffing as an integral component of their staffing service provider’s recruitment process.
Here are practical reasons why drug screening is important for employees in the retail business:
It helps retail companies avoid business risks.
Employees of companies engaged in the retail business who abuse drugs or alcohol pose a risk to their co-workers, their employer, and their employer’s customers. It is the primary reason why retail businesses need to make drug and alcohol testing a part of the hiring process for positions including:
- Merchandising
- Customer Service
- Cashier
- Store Sales
- Installation
- Assembly
- Retail Promotions
- Warehouse
Drug abuse can have adverse effects not only on workers but also on their employers as well. An employee who’s involved in illegal drug use will have their motivation for work reduced, their mood altered, and their efficiency affected.
Add to it the risk of an intoxicated employee getting into trouble with your customers. This can have a devastating effect on your brand’s image and sales.
Drug screening of job candidates is generally beneficial to the business.
One of the most important benefits of retail staff drug tests for job candidates in the retail industry is the assurance that the workers are able to deliver their employer’s expectations: a safe workplace, consistent efficiency and productivity, quality work, an excellent public image and reputation, and trust from customers and vendors. All of these can translate to better business, higher returns on investment, and peace of mind on the part of the employer.
How to Protect Your Retail Business from Drug Abuse
There’s only one way to protect your retail business from the negative effects of employee drug abuse. Make it a drug-free establishment by making drug screening for retail staffing a compulsory requirement in the hiring process.
Require your retail staffing service provider to conduct background checks and drug tests on retail staff before making a job offer to candidates. This can help to make sure that you will be able to hire highly qualified workers in terms of skills, attitude, professionalism, and sobriety.
Keep your retail company a drug-free business. Always work with a reliable staffing agent. It’s the one that makes sure all your hires are of guaranteed quality through proper and legit background screening and drug testing.
Contact us at (800) 725-3343.
