Drug Screening
When employees discuss the subject of examinations for illegal or illicit chemical use, there is almost always a negative tone to the discourse. No person really likes the idea that he or she is in any way suspected of such activity. As an unfortunate consequence of our societal behavior, however, a company requiring a drug test is reasonable, and can be done without rancor.
As with almost any managerial policy, the more the workforce understands about why it was created and what it entails, the less resistance there will likely be.
The Purpose of Drug Testing
There are two kinds of employment drug testing: pre-employment drug screening and publish-employment drug testing.
Pre-employment testing is carried out prior to recruiting individuals to make certain that drug abusers do not enter into the business. This is done under the premise that human assets are the biggest assets of a reputed organization. Talented staff members have a positive impact on productivity. However, this productivity is jeopardized when a company's workers use illicit drugs.
In accordance with the most recent reports (2009) released by Compound Abuse and Mental Health Expert services Administration (SAMHSA), out of 19.3 million illicit drug abusers aged 18 many years or older, 12.9 million had been employed full time or part time in United States. This knowledge signifies that many illicit drug users are finding employment and that they may well impact the organizational lifestyle.
Pre-employment drug testing can help in generating a sense of fear in people looking for work, as the odds are, if they use drugs, their application will be rejected due to them screening positive.
Comparing it with the automatic process undergone by everyone in federal service will help clarify the importance of having "clean" employees, as the idea of impaired FBI agents is clearly problematic to all. Relating that to the performance of duties at the corporate level is not a huge leap of logic.
Drug Screening and Constitutional Law
Some states do not have specific laws addressing this issue, so it is up to corporate policy to determine the best approach.
The Fourth Amendment ensures protection against unreasonable search and seizure, and these examinations have been held to be covered by this provision. One issue that comes up in the practice of conducting these processes is how much is too much. Even people who understand the rationale and grudgingly approve of it become incensed if the checks occur too often. All citizens are protected against the denial of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and this has been ruled to mean excessive intrusion on person or privacy.
Making Employees Understand the Necessity of Drug Testing
One key to approaching the subject with the workforce is to address it in the venue of safety.
Most employees feel the purpose of drug screening is to identify people doing something illegal off duty and then punish them. Keeping the focus on what the real point is, which is the prevention of impaired workers from hurting themselves or others, can be key to acceptance. Many employees do not consider the ramifications to the enterprise or employer should their actions result in loss, injury, or fatality. They do not know the legal responsibility an employer has to ensure that employees are competent and ready to work.
Knowing that their mishaps could cost the employer will help employees realize why it is important that everyone be substance free on the job. Even though they understand the reasons for it, the physical process of the examination is ultimately humiliating and degrading, with some workers tolerating it better than others. Choosing a company that has a good reputation, who are willing to collect feedback from those who are examined will also ease the effort. Testing at the workplace, instead of some third-party location, is less disruptive and faster.
Nevertheless, the practice of drug testing in a company protects everyone. Remaining careful to avoid any perception of bias through uniform and fair exercise will appease workers as much as possible. Following proven process guidelines will ensure that any challenge to the program will result in a finding for the company.
Strand of Hair
A strand of hair is all it takes to tell the story of illicit drug use.