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Drug Testing

 

            When the question of drug testing in the workplace arises, many problems tend to come along with it. For employers, the solution is simple; drug tests are mandatory for employment. When it comes to employees, however the response might be more along the lines of what does passing a drug test have to do with my ability to do the job. Conditions employers should test for drugs is to comply with Federal regulations, (e.g., the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy) and to improve safety. Drug usage leads to less productive employees and lost time at work. Drug testing safeguards companies from hiring and training employees who will not be as productive as those who do not use drugs. Drug testing verifies the honesty of the employee and helps create a safe working environment.
             Employee drug testing laws were created because of claims that drug and alcohol abuse costs American employers billions of dollars in decreased productivity, increased liability insurance and higher workers" compensation insurance premiums. The drug testing procedures themselves also cost employers billions of dollars. Drug-testing advocates claim that drug and alcohol abuse is responsible for high employee absentee rates; and according to drug testing laws, employers may be liable for the negligence of an employee under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They may also be liable for ignoring the results of any drug testing and negligently hiring an employee with a history of abusing drugs or alcohol. All of these factors give employers incentives to engage in drug testing their job applicants and current employees for illegal drugs or alcohol. Drug testing laws have been put in place to help guide employers in correcting problems of drug use in the workplace. .
             The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued regulations requiring drug testing of railroad employees and motor carriers who operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.


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