Driving Trust in Testing and Background Screening with Marc Bourne and Grady Phillips, Workforce QA

Understanding the ins and outs of driver testing and background checks can make all the difference in a trucking career.

For Marc Bourne and Grady Phillips, supporting drivers means building trust through transparency and clear communication around testing and background screening.

In this episode, Chelsea Faulkner sits down with Marc Bourne, Vice President of Background Screening, Training, and Compliance Services at Workforce QA, and Grady Phillips, CRO at Workforce QA, who both bring a unique background to trucking, to explore how testing processes can be fair, straightforward, and driver-friendly. They discuss how companies can move beyond just ticking boxes to fostering honest, respectful relationships.

You’ll hear them bust common myths about drug and background testing, explain why drivers should take charge of their own records, and share how ongoing education and advocacy help create a safer, better-informed trucking community. Marc and Grady stress the importance of treating drivers like people and giving them clarity about what’s tested and why it matters.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why trust is the foundation of driver testing and records

• How to advocate for yourself with MVR, PSP, and background checks

• How digitization can improve the hiring process

Resources:

• Grady Phillips on LinkedIn

• Marc Bourne on LinkedIn

• HandledNow Website

• HandledNow on Facebook

• Chelsea on LinkedIn

Episode highlights:
(00:00) Intro and background of Marc Bourne and Grady Phillips
(00:07:00) Why trust matters between drivers and companies
(00:14:00) The power of clear communication and candidate experience
(00:16:00) Debunking common myths about background checks
(00:22:30) Understanding MVR, PSP, and clearinghouse records
(00:32:00) Keeping up with policy changes and regulations
(00:37:00) How digital tools are changing testing and record keeping
(00:39:00) Rapid fire: driver questions and redesigning testing
(00:43:00) Making drivers feel supported, not singled out
(00:44:30) How to connect with Marc and Grady