Drug Testing In The Office

By Lindsay Barnes

Drug use and abuse has never ceased to be a problem across all groups, countries, and social classes. Not only does it cause problems for the drug user's family, friends, and colleagues, but it also threatens the user's life and has a negative effect on his or her points of view and the way he or she relates to other people. Unfortunately, although some people have preconceived notions about drug users and how they live, there really is no single template for a person who uses and abuses drugs. A drug user could be anyone around you, and you won't really know who he or she is at first glance.

There are some tell-tale signs, however, ones that cause real worry to anyone. Drug users can be anywhere around us, even in the workplace. This is why companies nowadays are implementing drug testing in the office. Drug testing in the office is meant to discover which employees are using drugs. Many people are apprehensive about the practice, believing that this is a violation of employees' privacy, and that results of the drug testing can also result in the termination of the employee.

Companies, however, reason out that it is in their best interests, as well as in the best interest of the other employees, to conduct drug testing at work. Most times, employees who abuse drugs exhibit a dip in productivity and even behavioral problems, and the company is responsible for ensuring everyone's safety and making sure that people are performing their jobs as they should. It has also been found that employees abusing drugs tend to skip work more often, and this negatively impacts the way a company operates.

Another reason why companies may order drug testing is to maintain a professional image and reputation. Having a drug-free policy at work certainly helps a company and shows that it doesn't tolerate any illegal activities. Companies can also perform drug testing as a way of looking after their employees. There is no reason for employees to believe that they will be immediately fired from their job should drug testing reveal that they have been using drugs, although many are apprehensive that judgment is being passed on them instantly when asked to take a drug test.

Drug testing in the workplace remains to be a controversial issue, and the procedure itself isn't required by the government. It is up to every company to decide whether on-the-job drug testing should be done, or if they will require incoming employees to undergo drug testing as part of their work requirements.

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