Should we ban drug testing in the workplace?

In 1986, the Reagan administration recommended a drug testing program for employers as part of the War on Drugs. Since then, questions have risen as to if drug testing should be allowed in the workplace. Many companies will stand by it, while others view it as a violation of human rights. Why won't certain companies drug test (click here)? Which side is right!?

When it comes to drug testing, there are many common questions that may spring into ones head, such as "Why do companies drug test?" The main reason is that drug abuse creates health and safety hazards that can result in decreased productivity and poor working habits from the employee. Using drugs can also lead to added costs for the company in the form of health care claims. It is stated that short-term disability claims are the most common. Transportation and safety-sensitive companies are obligated to drug test by certain federal agencies, such as the Federal Highway Administration. However, many view "forced" drug testing as a violation of human rights.

Invasion of privacy is the biggest issue concerned with drug testing. Urinalysis, the most common form of testing, requires the employee to pee into a cup that is sent to a lab for further testing. In many cases, there is usually another person observing the employee, making sure there is no tampering of the urine sample. What most people don't realize is that urinalysis reveals much more than drug use. The Washington D.C. Police Department has admitted in the past that they have used drug test samples to screen female employees for pregnancy, without their consent.

In recent years, our country has seen the legalization of marijuana in a few states, Colorado being the prime example. Being that marijuana is the number one drug that an employee is usually tested for, what does this mean for drug testing in the workplace? To many peoples surprise, employers can still fire marijuana smokers for legal use. Don't believe me? Read it here. Drug testing may be inevitable for certain employees, whether it is legal or illegal.

For more information on drug testing and drug-free workplaces, visit this website.