Workplace Drug Testing

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the legal and ethical issues pertaining to drug testing within the workplace. According to the paper, the effects of alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace places a heavy burden on the business. The paper lists some of the affected areas as tardiness, absenteeism, turnover, attitude problems, employee theft, accidents, product defects, decreased productivity, crime and violence.

From the Paper:

"It is difficult to ascertain whether drug testing can be mandatory or voluntary since the end state - and because it is backed by local, state and federal legislations - all drug testing can be considered mandatory! This is a valid premise because if an employee refuses, certain sanctions can be handed down by management. But the foremost consideration for drug testing in the work environment is that written policies should be in place. These policies should and must be cascaded to all employees and employees must sign documents attesting to understanding the contents of the policies. The policies of the company must have undergone review and validation by the medical, human resources and legal departments to give weight and credence to it. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (2003) states that, "Most employers test applicants and employees in one or more of the following situations: during an annual physical; before promotions or transfers; before being placed in - or routinely while in - positions involving money, security, or safety; after accidents; for past users; following treatment; when referred by management through just cause or reasonable suspicion; and on a random basis."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bahls, Jane Easter. "Drugs in the Workplace." HR Magazine, Feb 1998. Society for Human Resource Management. 28 May 2006. <http://www.shrm.org/hrmagazine/articles/ 0298cov.asp>.
• CollegeGrad.com. Drug Testing and Other Possible Conditions of Employment. 2006. 28 May 2006. <http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/24-2.shtml>.
• OPENonline.com. Workplace Drug and Alcohol Screening: Drug Screening Policy Development. 2006. 28 May 2006. <http://www.openonline.com/services_drugscreen_ policy.html>.
• Smoyer, John. "A Practical Approach to the Issues of Drug and Alcohol Testing." Society for Human Resource Management, May 1997. 28 May 2006. <http://www.shrm.org/ hrmagazine/articles/0298cova.asp>.
• Ultimate Detox. Drug Testing - Drug Test Types. 2003. 28 May 2006. <http://www.ultimate detox.co.uk/drug-testing-advice-information/drug-testing.htm#>.

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