Omaha, NE
With a population of over 480,000, the city boasts a diverse range of attractions such as the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, the Old Market District, and numerous museums. Omaha is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Berkshire Hathaway and Mutual of Omaha, which makes it a hub for the finance and insurance industries.
With a successful business community, a thriving cultural scene, and a high quality of life, Omaha is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Nebraska’s Growing Job Market
Nebraska has been praised for its low unemployment rate and strong economy,1 which is largely due to the state’s varied industries such as agriculture, healthcare, insurance, education, and manufacturing.
Large conglomerates such as Berkshire Hathaway, Kiewit Corporation, and Union Pacific Railroad have their headquarters in Omaha, NE, providing job seekers with plenty of employment options across a range of industries.
Within the technology sector, Omaha has recently been dubbed the “Silicon Prairie,” becoming a hub for tech startups and attracting talent from across the country. This has contributed to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and provided a boost to the local economy creating increased job opportunities and innovative solutions to local problems.
Employment Statistics, Nebraska
Nebraska’s affordable cost of living and friendly communities make it a desirable destination for individuals and families looking to relocate.
The state has a strong education system and is dedicated to producing a skilled workforce, which is evident from Nebraska’s above-average high school graduation rate.2 Additionally, the state’s various tax incentives and business-friendly policies have attracted numerous businesses to open up offices there.
Employment statistics in Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska, reflect the state’s economic strength, with a job growth rate that outpaces the national average. The tables hereunder reflect Nebraska’s employment rate by sector, as well as year-on-year employment rates for the past five years.
Nebraska’s employment by sector:3
| Sector | Employment | Growth 2022 (%) | Annualized Growth: 2017 – 2022 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 160,449 | 2.3% | 1.9% |
| Retail trade | 131,851 | 2.1% | 0.6% |
| Information | 110,124 | 3.2% | 2.5% |
| Administration, business support, and waste management services | 96,936 | 6.5% | 2.0% |
| Accommodation and food services | 74,704 | 6.2% | 1.7% |
| Construction | 65,889 | 0.1% | 2.0% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 60,096 | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Educational services | 58,912 | -0.6% | 0.6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 51,082 | 5.9% | 5.8% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 45,733 | 0.8% | 0.7% |
| Wholesale trade | 44,263 | 2.6% | 0.8% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 26,645 | 1.2% | 2.5% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 23,387 | 3.7% | 1.5% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting | 3,450 | 1.4% | 2.6% |
| Utilities | 1,491 | N/A | -3.5% |
| Mining | 1,483 | 1.7% | 4.3% |
Nebraska’s Labor Force Data:4
| Period | Labor force participation rate | Employment-population ratio | Labor force | Employment | Unemployment | Unemployment Rate |
| January 2023 | 69.5% | 67.8% | 1,059,793 | 1,033,252 | 26,541 | 2.5% |
| January 2022 | 69.6% | 68.1% | 1,054,637 | 1,032,595 | 22,042 | 2.1% |
| January 2021 | 69.3% | 67.2% | 1,045,449 | 1,013,939 | 31,510 | 3.0% |
The Onboarding Dilemma
In a city with a thriving job market like that in Omaha, companies are likely to experience increased competition for skilled workers. Companies may also need to have effective systems in place to handle the influx of job applications being received from potential employees.
Pre-employment screening is a crucial step in the hiring process that can help companies identify the most qualified candidates while reducing the risk of hiring someone who may not be a good fit for the company.
Employers need to conduct pre-employment screening fairly and consistently to avoid any potential legal issues. Pre-employment screening processes usually include:
- Background checks
- Drug testing
- Reference checks
- Skills assessment checks
Pre-employment screening and onboarding processes are crucial to maintaining the safety and productivity of your workplace. They also offer the following benefits:
- Reduce the risk of workplace accidents.
- Improve employee satisfaction.
- Increase employee retention rates.
- Ensure that new hires are a good fit for the company culture.
- Help employers identify any potential red flags or issues with a candidate before they are hired.
The Importance of Pre-Employment Drug Testing
Pre-employment drug testing is a common practice for many employers in the United States, particularly in safety-sensitive industries such as transportation or healthcare.
Employers arrange drug testing to:
- Ensure new employees are fit for duty.
- Reduce the risk of workplace accidents or injuries.
- Promote a safe and productive work environment for all employees.
- Help companies protect their reputation in the market.
- Avoid legal liabilities.
In the state of Nebraska, pre-employment drug testing is permitted and is frequently used by employers as a condition of employment. Employers, however, need to ensure that job candidate drug testing is done in a non-discriminatory manner and that state laws and regulations are followed to avoid any legal issues.
The pre-employment process, however, becomes longer and more complicated when employers include drug testing as a part of their procedure. Additionally, coordinating with testing facilities and waiting for results can further delay the onboarding timeline.
How AMH Nationwide Can Help Keep Your Workplace Drug-Free
AMH Nationwide helps companies streamline their pre-employment drug testing process by offering a wider range of testing options and providing quick and accurate results.
Our comprehensive drug testing services include pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion testing to ensure a safe and drug-free workplace for employers.
Additionally, we offer a variety of testing methods such as hair follicle, blood, fingernail, and urine drug screen testing.
With our advanced state-of-the-art technology and experienced staff, we are dedicated to providing personalized support and guidance to our clients throughout the testing process, while understanding the importance of confidentiality and accuracy.
Priding ourselves on our accurate results delivered on time, AMH Nationwide is a reliable partner for any business looking to ensure a drug-free workplace. Get in touch to learn more about our services and how we can assist with your testing needs.
Sources:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/01/business/economy/nebraska-economy-unemployment-labor.html
- https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/high-school-graduation-rates-by-state/
- https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/economic-profiles/nebraska/
- https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LASST310000000000006?amp%253bdata_tool=XGtable&output_view=data&include_graphs=true
