Illegal drug use is a serious problem in today's workforce.
Drug use is a serious problem in the workplace. Companies grapple with the liabilities associated with illegal drug use among employees. Employees have a right to expect to be safe while performing their assigned tasks, and drug use by co-workers can endanger the safety of every employee. Random drug testing is one means of combating the problem, but this approach has its drawbacks.
Invasive
Most employees view mandatory drug testing as an invasion of their privacy, and some groups consider its use to be unconstitutional. While any company has a right to know if employees are under the influence of drugs while on the clock or on company property, employees feel that what they do in their personal time is none of the company's business.
Degradation of Management/Employee Relations
Employees who feel the company oversteps its bounds and/or doesn't trust them may be less inclined to give the company their best work. On the other hand, employees who do use illegal drugs may consider beating the odds of drug testing as a game.
Expense
Drug testing can cost a company a considerable amount of money. Not only are the actual tests expensive, but companies must weigh the benefits of discouraging drug use against the loss of training caused by potentially terminating employees who fail a drug test even though they may never actually be under the influence while at work.
Tags: drug testing, serious problem, under influence
