Stay Informed: March 10, 2023 - Industry News and Updates for the week.
There was plenty of news this week relating to screening, hiring, and compliance. Here are three top stories you may have missed.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is closing a loophole in its Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse that makes it possible for a driver to have a drug or alcohol violation reported by another employer after a pre-employment query, but before the next annual one. The news came during FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson’s address to members of the Truckload Carriers Association at the organization’s Truckload 2023 meeting in Orlando Tuesday.
Hutcheson also said FMCSA hears the calls for hair follicle testing and the agency is being as proactive as it can, but noted the Department of Transportation has to follow mandatory guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Department of Transportation, including FMCSA, is required to follow the HHS Mandatory Guidelines for technical and scientific issues related to testing for controlled substances and HHS has not yet issued final guidelines for hair testing. Hutcheson, however, said HHS now anticipates a revised proposed guidance will be available to the public this summer.
Reiterating the Department of Transportation’s goal of zero fatalities on the nation’s highways, Hutcheson said her administration is focused on creating safer drivers, safer vehicles and better roadways. She called on the trucking industry to help address the “root causes” of unsafe driving in and around commercial vehicles that result in almost 5,000 deaths per year, including 800 commercial driver fatalities.
Related:
Vault Workforce Screening offers a free 30-minute screening program audit with one of our certified transportation compliance experts who understand your needs and how you work. We will review your existing screening program and workflows and provide meaningful insight as to where there may be any compliance red flags, overspend, or opportunities for efficiency and improving the driver candidate experience. There is no obligation or risk involved, and you will receive a report you can review with team members following the consultation.
The US Labor Department reports the job market remains tight with 1.9 job openings per every unemployed person. But, industry trends vary widely, with job openings increasing in transportation, warehousing and utilities as well as nondurable goods manufacturing, while falling in finance, insurance and retail.
However, finding workers with desired skills or experience remained challenging.
The global contingent workforce management industry generated $171.5 trillion in 2021 and is estimated to reach $465.2 trillion by2031 as companies use a contingent workforce instead of hiring permanent employees to solve changing business and operational challenges.
North America garnered the highest share in 2021, accounting for more than half of the global contingent workforce management market revenue and is expected to rule the roost during the forecast period. The segment is driven by rapid industrialization, and rising labor force participation, which has increased the demand for flexible workforces from businesses in a variety of industries, including the healthcare, IT and telecom, manufacturing, and retail sectors in North America region.
Related:
Our blog from this week addresses the explosive growth of contingent workers, and how you can improve your workforce screening program to provide a fair, safe, and great experience to all employees, whether full time, or contingent.
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