Privacy and Drug Testing

Paper Summary:

This persuasive essay argues why drug testing should be banned in the workplace, citing as its main reason the court case, Baron vs. City of Hollywood. Other reasons explored are lack of evidence that it results in higher rates of worker productivity unreliability of the tests and the high costs.

From the Paper:

"Imagine that you are hired as a temporary accountant through an agency for three months. Your duties range from preparing bank reconciliations of all accounts and preparing a database of all lease agreements with the city. After three months of hard work, you received praise for the quality of your work performance from the City's accounting managers and you were even hired as part of the city's accounting pool. However, shortly after being hired the city drops a bombshell saying that they are requiring all new city employees to undergo urine screening for drugs. This is the case of Thomas Baron, who refused to submit to the City's drug test due to principle. As a result of Baron's refusal, the city revoked its decision to hire him. Baron took the City of Hollywood to court and on April 13, 2000 the court declared that the City of Hollywood policy was unconstitutional. Judge Ryskamp stated that the decision from the federal court confirmed that highly personal and humiliating urine tests of employees, without suspicion that those employees were using drugs, was unconstitutional. Since drug testing was declared unconstitutional, I believe it is obvious that all drug testing in the work force should be banned except when there is suspicion of drug use. Drug testing should also be banned because lack of proof in effectiveness, inaccurate and ineffective drug testing programs, and the cost."

More papers on Privacy and Drug Testing:

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• Argumentative Essay # 89507 : "Workplace Drug Testing"
• Analytical Essay # 89641 : "Drug Testing"

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