Marijuana legalization is creating the same kind of problem regarding what to do about professional drivers who test positive for marijuana. For CDL drivers, it’s easy. It is prohibited for CDL drivers to use marijuana under any circumstances, even if the substance is legal in the state in which they reside. Even if a driver consumes a prohibited cannabis product in their off hours in a state where it is legal, if they test positive for it later, they may still be in violation of the Department of Transportation’s zero-tolerance policy at the federal level.

For non-CDL drivers, the employer testing is optional. However, if a driver with a CDL license tests positive for marijuana use, they are also prohibited from driving non-CDL vehicles until they pass the return-to-duty test: another drug test administered under direct supervision. Does that all sound confusing? That’s because it is.

Add to this already tangled web of marijuana laws and efforts to keep the roads safe from drivers under the influence the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act (NJCREAMMA), passed in February of 2021. Among other things, NJCREAMMA prohibits employers from taking adverse employment action against employees who test positive for cannabinoid metabolites in their blood or other bodily fluids.  In theory, this means that an employer cannot refuse to hire, fire, or discipline an employee who has been shown to have used cannabis. However, NJCREAMMA also upholds the right of employers to maintain a drug and alcohol-free workplace. Therefore, the regulation allows employers to make rules regarding the consumption, use, or influence of marijuana or marijuana products while at work.

At the time of the Act’s original issuance, employers could require employees to submit to a drug test under the following circumstances:

• Upon suspicion of impairment from cannabis/cannabinoid substances while performing work duties
• Upon finding any observable signs of marijuana/cannabinoid use at work
• Following a work-related accident

Under NJCREAMMA, the term “drug test” has been redefined to mean a process using reliable, scientific drug-testing methods administered at work, during work hours (blood, urine, saliva tests) AND an evaluation of person certified as a Workplace Impairment Recognition Expert (WIRE). If both the bodily fluid test and the WIRE evaluation show the employee is under the influence during work hours, the employer may then take adverse employment action. The problem? The state had yet to issue guidance or training protocols for the WIREs.

To that end, the state issued interim guidance in September of 2022 until WIREs can be identified and trained for each workplace. The interim guidance essentially upholds the previous legislation regarding prohibition of adverse employment action unless evidence-based documentation of physical signs of cannabis use or signs of impairment are present. This stop-gap guidance also provides suggestions to help identify signs of impairment due to marijuana use, according to SafetyNews Alert.

California has also recently passed similar legislation preventing adverse employment action against employees who test positive for cannabinoid metabolites. The New Jersey and California laws do not apply to those in certain industries (including CDL holders, as well as federal agency contractors and grantees) and cannot preempt any state or federal laws that require a clean drug test as a condition of employment. However, non-CDL drivers can theoretically use cannabis outside of working hours within these states.

Drug test manufacturers and concerned employers are looking for ways to test for actual impairment on the job, such as employee tests against their own baseline performance and tests for the presence of active THC, the compound that creates the high, in the blood. Until these testing methods have been established, employers must keep a watchful eye out for signs of employee impairment in non-CDL drivers in New Jersey and California.

Disclaimer: This document and any discussions set forth are for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice.

Ensure distraction-free driving

Backpack-laden children will soon be out in force walking to school buildings from homes and parked cars, or riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards. Unfortunately, children aren’t always the most safety conscious. That’s why it is up to drivers to be vigilant, avoiding distractions like phones, eating and drinking, or even attempting to use GPS while in motion. Pay extra attention when backing up as well, as you never know when a child might pop up unexpectedly behind you.

Beware of glare

Although most associate sunnier days with summer, it is actually in fall when the glare is at its worst, due to the sun’s position in the sky being lower during fall and winter months. The lower position of the sun hits the eyes of drivers at a more direct angle, sometimes completely obscuring a driver’s view of the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians. Unfortunately, peak glare time for the A.M. often corresponds to the times when schoolchildren might be walking or driving home from school. In order to increase visibility even when the glare gets severe, keep your windshield clean, remove any obstructions from your dashboard, and be sure to keep polarized sunglasses in your vehicle at all times.

Watch for school zones & bus stops

Although it is typically better to stick to highways and interstates to avoid back-to-school traffic, there will be times when taking backroads is unavoidable. Therefore, it is important to be aware of any school zones and bus stops you may encounter, especially when it may be less clear where schools are located when driving on backroads. When possible, avoid school zones altogether. If you can’t avoid them, give yourself extra time as the speed limit is at least 10 MPH slower.

Just being aware of these safety challenges can go a long way to improve the well-being of schoolchildren and drivers alike.

Mike D. – Appleton Construction Office

Mike started with Trillium on 11/30/2020. “He came into the office to do all his paperwork and pick up his PPE the day after thanksgiving to ensure he could go out the next Monday. Right away I knew he had the drive to get to work,” stated Ryan Thomas, Appleton Branch Manager.

• Perfect attendance
• Been with the same client the entire time and rated well above average
• Zero accidents/incidents
• Worked for multiple different foremen – all who have asked to have him back on their crew specifically
• Worked on multiple different locations so far this year, both locally and traveling
• Leads safety initiatives on site, refers new employees to the branch as well as contractors he sees on site working with us

• Comments from his foreman check ins:
  • “Mike is the first guy on the site every morning, ready to go and willing to do whatever is asked of him. No issues ever and is the easiest going guy on the site”
  • “Most dependable and long term addition to their crew”

Joe “Scott” E. – Cleveland Construction Office

Scott has been working for Trillium since 2019. He started working for the Cleveland branch in 2020 and has been working for the same client ever since.

• “Scott has been a model employee in not just his high-quality craftsmanship that he shows every day, but, his integrity and respect for his coworkers as well by leading by example on quality and safety to the point that he has been made a team leader for the same contractor for us. He has not missed one day or ever been late in the 2 years that he has been working for the Cleveland branch,” stated Walt Jones, Cleveland Branch Manager.

Joey H. – San Bernardino Construction Office

Joey started with Trillium in May 2020. His first assignment was as a Laborer and is now a Solar lead. Joey’s assignments have taken him to Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin installing solar systems all over.

• Craig D. – Owner
  “I have been working with Joey for a while now training him in the Supervisors position. It has been a pleasure working with Joey. He always answers my calls or calls me back right away. He has a positive, will-do attitude and always responds well to suggestions and feedback. He is reliable and has a calm demeanor with the crew. I believe he has the potential to grow into a solid trustworthy Supervisor”.
• Sabine S. – Human Resources
  “Joey is a polite, trustworthy employee, he has been working for us since May 2020, and went through the up and downs of many projects not only in California but also worked on out-of-state projects. He climbed the ladder from starting as a solar installer to team lead to foreman and is currently in the Supervisor training position. He is taking care of the people he’s working with, he will become a great leader.”

Joe H. – Denver Construction Office

“Joe has been the go to guy for us!  Joe has been the foundation of our project team, and has been a great leader in our combined effort to complete a very complex project.  Our customer has asked for Joe specifically to come back and help with additional work and Joe has proven to be a top talent in the electrical industry with his skills and customer relationships,” stated Brian, Senior Superintendent.

“I am grateful for receiving the employee of the year award. I thank the amazing team at Trillium for their incredible support. Without them, this achievement would not be possible. I also recognize the accomplishments of my fellow tradesmen and tradeswomen and supervisors, many of whom personally contributed to my success and professional growth. I look forward to another exciting year. Cheers to the #1 Staffing Agency!”  – Joe H.

Leon M. – Baltimore Drivers Office

Leon Marks started with Trillium in April of 2018.  Leon has always been dependable, hardworking, and honest in everything he does to represent Trillium. While working with trillium Leon did face a serious health concern but he still managed to keep in contact with his managers every day to give updates. Everyone wanted the best for Leon and couldn’t wait for him to come back to work because he was that great of an employee.

• “There was no replacing Leon, he is the best. If Leon has a day off, he is always the first to ask ‘if you need me, I’m available,’ even when I asked him to drive an hour for a night run, Leon said ‘of course’ with no hesitation,” stated Lindsay Strohman, Recruiting Manager.
• “Leon is one of my favorites. He does everything I have asked him to do.” Michael J. current manager at client location.

Each winner will receive a YETI backpack cooler and an award commemorating their accomplishments over the past year. Thank you so much for your amazing hard work, dedication and loyalty!

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions and Trillium Technical. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 35th Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2020 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

For many college graduates, the prospect of finding your first post college opportunity can feel overwhelming and a scary prospect. However, there are few key factors to keep in mind while you are searching for employment in this tight job market.

1. Do some research and contact your local temporary agency. Working with a temporary agency will allow you to not only gain experience in your preferred industry but these types of agency can typically get you working in a shorter amount of time. In a job market as tight as this one, you are not the only group struggling. Employers and companies nationwide are having a hard time finding qualified candidates to fill their open positions, leading them to turn to temporary agencies.
2. As ideal as it would be for your first job out of college to be your long-term position, it will most likely be the first of multiple stepping stones. As it is becoming more common practice for companies to take employees away from each other, job length expectancy is certainly shorter than it used to be. However, employers are aware of this being an issue and are working towards a solution. Currently, there is a huge culture shift within organizations to put more emphasis on employee retention and recognition in order to secure top talent for a longer period of time.
3. Continue to develop your education and knowledge in your respective industry. While receiving a college degree is a fantastic accomplishment, it is only the first step in developing who you are going to be as a working professional. On the job experience is just as important to ensuring that you are forever adapting to changes in industry, technology and social economics. Regardless of your area of expertise and the level at which you are in your career, it is imperative to continue to stay on top of the best practices and changes in your respective industry as a whole. This may arise from on the job learning, online courses, company provided training, etc.

The main takeaway here is patience. We all want to graduate from college, land our dream job and be done with it. The reality is that through hard-work, determination and an eagerness to grow in your field, your dream career could be just around the corner, you just have to be patient and treat each job and opportunity as a stepping stone down your career path.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, and Trillium Techs. With approximately 90 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2015 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

With over 1,500 currently working Drivers across the country, Trillium knows better than most the importance of experienced, qualified and reliable Truck Drivers. From moving consumer goods to delivering building supplies and electrical equipment, Truck Drivers make day to day business interactions continue to prosper and grow. Please, if you can, be sure to thank a Driver this week and remember what a vital role they play in all of our lives.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, and Trillium Techs. With approximately 90 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2015 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riding a bus to school is 13 times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle and 10 safer than walking to school. The reality is that more children are hurt outside the bus. Given that pedestrian – vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death for school age children, it’s vital that truck drivers pay attention to posted signs, signals and traffic. Below are tips to help keep our kids safe this school year:

• Watch for school zones – Look for signs and flashing lights during school hours.
• Slow down in school zones and stay alert – Children are unpredictable.
• Watch for crossing guards.
• Watch for school buses – All states have strict laws regarding passing a stopped school bus.
• Never pass on the right side of the bus.
• Adjust driving hours if possible.
• Minimize use on secondary roads, use freeways and highways when possible.
• Have a heightened sense of awareness on rural highways and state routes for stopped buses.
• Be aware of traffic congestion in college towns.
• Don’t block the crosswalk.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
• Don’t honk your horn or rev your engine to rush a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way.
• Make sure your headlights are on.
• Take extra care to look for children near schools, residential areas, parks and playgrounds.

While drivers are always safety conscious, it is important they not take it for granted. Don’t be tempted to make a call or fall victim to any other distraction that may take your eyes off the road. We all need to adopt a safety-first mindset if we are to keep accidents at a minimum and our children safe.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, and Trillium Techs. With approximately 90 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2015 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

“As in previous years, we owe our growth and success to the over 400 internal staff working across the country. Their dedication to attracting, identifying, and recruiting some of the best candidates in each line of work is what sets us apart from our competitors,” states René Poch, CEO.

Trillium follows a partnership approach by connecting high quality talent to compelling careers within diverse national markets. They achieve this through professionalism, honesty, and integrity as a recognized leader in the staffing and recruitment industry.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, and Trillium Techs. With approximately 90 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2015 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

According to recent research, it has been determined that the Driver pool is declining for a number of reasons.

• Lower Turnover Rate: As the demand for goods and products increases across the country, the amount of freight having to be delivered to consumers and companies is also on the rise. This is giving Drivers more loads and routes to work which results in Drivers not having to seek work elsewhere. However, if the need for freight continues to increase, companies will have no choice but to add to their Driver workforce to make up for the increased demand. A single Driver can only move so much freight before they hit capacity. This then takes the full circle of dealing with a Driver shortage.
• Low Pay Rate: Even though the overall Truck Driver pay rate has continued to increase over the past 13 years, when you take into account inflation and the cost of living, Drivers today are actually making less than they did in 2005!
• Lack of Respect: Feeling respected and appreciated while performing your duties as an employee is a fundamental need that we all share. Because word of mouth is such an important aspect for companies seeking qualified Drivers, respect plays an even greater role in their recruiting process. In fact, research performed by Randall Reilly found that 71% of Drivers surveyed would be willing to make less money if it meant that they were respected at work.

Although it may feel like this issue is out of your hands as a prospective employer, there is something that can be done. In today’s job market it is more important than ever to focus on the value of your employees rather than the bottom line cost. Why? The overhead and overall cost to retain qualified individuals within your company is ultimately less than having to recruit over and over again. In fact, the industry average for rehires and referrals is around 30% of all hires. The best way to do this is to determine the type of individuals that best suit your open positions. For instance, if your company specializes in OTR or regional routes, try and tailor your advertising and positions on the idea that the Driver will get see places across the country. You want to reach people who enjoy travel and even a little adventure.

As an employer, you want Drivers to know who your company is and what you offer. Focus on brand awareness and benefits of working for your company. This information is important to prospective employees and even more so if you are trying to get referrals from existing employees. It cannot be stressed enough how important increasing the organic value of your positions can be for a Driver looking for a long-term career.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, and Trillium Techs. With approximately 90 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2015 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

According to Truckingindustry.news, Mack Trucks is about to change all of that! Recently, Mack Trucks, a part of the Volvo Group, reported that they plan on using a fully electric refuse vehicle in 2019. The New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has been chosen to test the vehicle once it has been introduced.

Jonathan Randall, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Mack Trucks North America reports that introducing the truck will allow the company to move forward with the future of the industry in terms of sustainable technology. 

The benefits of implementing electric vehicles on such a grand scale can not be overlooked including zero emissions, reduced noise during operation and being environmentally sustainable to just name a few. While it is difficult to gauge the impact this will have on the trucking industry overall, it is a solid indication of where some of the leading trucking manufacturers are headed in terms of becoming environmentally responsible and reducing their carbon footprint. With gas and diesel prices on the rise and projected to continue to increase in the coming years, it begs the question; what other companies will follow suit? What will this mean in terms of cost to operate and overall overhead for transportation and logistics companies? It is definitely too early to tell but it will be interesting to see within the next few years if more and more electric powered trucks will be seen hauling freight in our neighborhoods and along our highways.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, and Trillium Techs. With approximately 90 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2015 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

“Many years ago when we started the company we felt that there were a couple of things that we needed to do particularly well. The first was to give great customer service, that means finding the absolute best candidate for the jobs that we have available. Today, we use a partnership approach between our candidates and our clients to find the best possible career matches,” states René Poch, CEO.

Trillium Staffing was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1984, by founder and CEO René Poch. Since that time, René Poch has steadily expanded the employment service to include seven companies with over 95 locations across the nation. Today, Trillium is proud to be recognized as a national leader in recruitment and staffing, providing service to thousands of clients and employees in various capacities across the country.

The organization’s commitment to excellence has been the driving force behind its growth and expansion. Trillium is proud to employ a full time risk management team to help clients identify areas of liability and provide an unsurpassed safety program for their employees.

With a recruitment team of approximately 400 individuals nationwide, Trillium excels at attracting, identifying, and recruiting some of the best candidates in each line of work. Trillium uses the latest technology and sourcing tools available to locate and identify talent for some of the industry’s hardest to fill positions. Trillium employees have access to careers with some of the nation’s leading employers along with competitive pay and benefit options.

“We have the same commitments to each and every one of our employees as we do our clients. We have high expectations and our requirements are stringent. Once you become an employee of Trillium, we’ll do everything in our power to help you succeed and meet your career goals. When our employees are successful, we’ve done our job,” stated René Poch, CEO.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 30,000 companies nationwide. The Trillium brand of companies includes Trillium Staffing, Trillium Technical, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Professional and Trillium Environmental. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.