Verified Document

Workplace Drug Testing

Related Topics:

Employee Drug Testing Over the last few years, an increasing number of companies are turning to drug testing as way to screen and monitor employees. This is because, these individuals will increase healthcare costs, have more sick days, are less productive and more likely to become disabled. To avoid these issues, many are turning to drug testing as a way to effectively evaluate staff members. However, once someone tests positive is when various organizations will have different policies. To fully understand what is taking place requires looking at four of the most common policies inside the workplace. Together, these different elements will illustrate how they are able supervise and enforce these policies.

There are a number of options employers have available to them when their employee fails a drug test to include: providing a written warning, sending the person to treatment, suspension and termination. Each one should be used to correct these behaviors to varying degrees. However, the penalties will become more severe when someone is continually violating the organization's drug policy or they are in positions of authority. (Dressler, 2008)

A written warning is delivered to someone the first time they fail a drug test....

This occurs after they have been working at an organization for a select amount of time and tested positive in a random check. During orientation, everyone learns about the policies and the importance of following them. They are asked to sign a statement agreeing to abide them and the consequences for failing to do so. This requires documenting and discussing these issues with the individual. As managers will explain the policy, ask them if there are any problems and recommend treatment programs. If there are issues, the employee will be referred to treatment. In this case, employers are sending employees a message about failing the drug test and what will happen if they do not correct their behavior. (Dressler, 2008)
Treatment is when the employee will go to an inpatient facility for help. In these situations, it is mandatory, as the individual does not have a choice about participating. Instead, they will attend different classes and remain in one of several approved programs for a specified period of time. This is when they will be monitored over the next several tests to see if they are following the organization's policy. In this case, employers are offering staff members with the ability to seek out assistance for their substance…

Sources used in this document:
References

Dressler, G. (2008). Human Resource Management. New York, NY: Pearson Higher Education.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Workplace Drug Testing and Invasion
Words: 2001 Length: 6 Document Type: Thesis

Men and women are valued for their role as workers -- workers not merely at a given company -- but workers who form part of a larger industrial/technological organism that is the national, and increasingly, the global economy. Rights of privacy give way to rights of public utility: People want, not only profits, efficiency, and productivity, but also security. In order to feel safer, we willingly surrender some of our

Workplace Drug Screening Opinion
Words: 1173 Length: 3 Document Type: Case Study

Drug Testing in the Workplace Most employers in the United States are not required to do drug testing on either current or potential employees, although the majority have the right to do so (United States Department of Labor, 2010). Drug testing is not required under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. The Act can be confusing and challenging for employers, however, since it essentially states that any organization receiving federal grants

Drugs Testing Interoffice Memorandum Subject:
Words: 446 Length: 2 Document Type: Thesis

In that regard, illicit drug use, even during non-working hours, undermines our corporate interests of minimizing mistakes and maximizing output volume. Apart from any other reason, implementation of a drug testing policy is essential to maintaining the highest quality performance and output of all TWI employees, particularly in the prevailing economic climate. Recommendations: Personal privacy principles in the workplace are substantially less than elsewhere as a matter of law. Employers have a

Pro-Drug Testing in the Workplace
Words: 971 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Drug Testing in the Workplace is an incredibly important component in the ongoing war against drugs. It is simply impossible to argue that employees who are high or that use drugs on a regular basis can be an effective part of a company. Indeed those who use illicit drugs are often responsible for workplace accidents, absenteeism, worker's compensation claims, and health care claims; all of which hurt a company's productivity

Moral Perspective of PC Drug Testing Culture
Words: 699 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Workplace Drug Testing Joe is a high quality employee but if all employees are to be subjected to a random drug test then it is fair for Joe to be included in randomized testing. Why should Joe be left out of the sample just because he is who he is? No doubt there are numerous high quality employees that are like Joe, but the point of the randomized drug test is

Workplace Drug Screening Testing for Drugs Has
Words: 1362 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Workplace Drug Screening Testing for drugs has developed into a significant security concern in places of work for management. The purpose of screening is to diminish the effects that illegal substance abuse has on the places of business, comprising lateness, non-attendance, turnover, mind-set troubles, theft, reduced output, misdeeds and hostility. "The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that drug use in the workplace costs employers $75 to $100 billion dollars annually in

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now