Pros and Cons of Drug testing in the Workplace

drug testing in the workplace

Drug testing in the workplace, though not always greeted by the employee, it has great positive effects on the organization and its environment. When any organization decides to conduct drug testing among its employees, pros and cons will surely arise. To know the fact, this article will surely help you.

Pros of Drug testing in the organization

There are some pros of drug testing in the workplace. These include:

• Increase safety in the work place

Drug testing in the workplace surely creates a safe and congenial atmosphere in the work place both for the employees and for the customers. In case of critical industrial organization, it provides wonderful results. That is why this practice in such organization is increasing massively. Drug and alcohol testing offer ensures peace of mind for the customer as well as for the employees.

• Reduces possibility of occurring accidents

There are many evidences showing that drug testing in the workplace reduces the risk of accidents in the organizational environment. The people who enter into the workplace with the influence of drug and alcohol surely increase the possibility of workplace accidents. According to some statistics from traffic department, the industrial jobholder related to transport is greatly responsible to frequent accidents in the streets. Therefore, drug testing in the workplace will surely reduce this sort of road accidents.

• Good practice to improve the environment

The implementation of effective testing of drug should not be just a program. Employers may find themselves in front of some litigation if they do not properly conduct the drug testing for the employees. If we have a glimpse over the law regarding this issue, we will see that the issue is related to Drug Abuse Act 1971, Road traffic act 1988, transport and works act 1992, Health and safety at Work Act 1974 and also Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 precisely. By reminding the matter, the employer also should follow laws for safety of the workplace.

• Assist the staff to avoid misuse problems

The companies practicing effective alcohol and drug policy in the workplace are in a stable position to support staff proactively in having trouble with misuse of substance.

There are some Cons of Drug testing in the workplace. These include the following.

• Privacy:

If an employer puts pressure on the employees for taking part in a drug test or make the requirement compulsory, it may create a negative sense in the mind of the employees. Some staff may think that it will hamper their privacy and this is a personal attack.

• Cost:

Drug testing in the workplace is a matter of high cost. If it has to be arranged by the employee, they might disagree with the proposal. If it has to be paid by the employee, it would be a huge burden for the organization. Therefore, the cost should be considerable for both the parties.

• Trustworthiness:

There is another great fact of trustworthiness between the employees and the management. If the program is not handled properly, it may create a ‘them and us’ cultural practice in the organization. A relation gap can be created between employee and management.

Whatever it is, drug testing in the workplace will surely work for the benefit of the staff.