The Pros and Cons of Drug Testing for Employment

It is already a fact that illegal drugs have permeated the society at a higher level that is why there are different measures to prevent or to avoid hiring someone in the workplace who has a drug addiction. The manifestation of addiction can bring challenges into the production floor if not predicted beforehand.

There is a dynamic relationship between an employee, employer and customers in any business, and this is one of the reasons why most hiring process requires a great deal of work in choosing someone to fill in a position for a certain company. There are companies that are usually stricter in choosing managerial and supervisorial positions, while others are more lenient. However, it is a fact that these businesses do not just hire anyone for the sake of filling in a job position.

Hiring processes set in place varies for different companies, but most of them are transparent if they require their employees to undergo drug tests. Employees, on the other hand, understand the need but are mostly reluctant when the topic comes up especially if they are not knowledgeable about it yet.

Just like everything else, there are pros and cons of having to undergo drug testing for employment:

Pros:

1. Drug testing is conducted in different way, – hair drug test, urine or saliva drug test which the results could either be positive or negative. Employees who undergo drug test will be informed about their health, and are confident enough with the job that they are supposed to do.
2. There will be greater security in the workplace where co-workers will not have to worry about drug-related accidents.
3. Companies can provide insurance policy that is beneficial both for the employer and the employee.
4. Should the employee be tested positive, most companies provide proper drug rehabilitation programs in order to try and make them better.

Cons:

1. Employees’ medical background may be presented to employers as they will have to check the results once they come out. This is a question of invasion of privacy in the part of the employees and discrimination at work.
2. Costs can be high depending on what type of drug test and what drug test kits are used.
3. Marijuana, one of the drugs that these types of tests are being tested on, is legal in most states because of its medicinal properties. Drug tests usually detect drugs when an individual took it even before working, which will not affect their jobs. On the other hand, drugs like cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines will not be detected if the individual did not take it recently.

With these advantages and disadvantages, it all boils up to how the employer takes care of their employees when they opt for them to undergo drug tests. There is a relationship between professionalism and ethics and both parties should know how to handle things well when these two diverge. While drug testing may be an invasion of privacy for the employees, it is an effective way for employers to protect their company against illegal drugs. However, employees should be given the proper and necessary support by their employers.

Check out Desert Hope Treatment to learn more about the various rehabilitation services available.