1st March 2010, 01:22 PM
Maggie: I think firstly that if a member of staff came on to the job drunk or otherwise intoxicated then immediately their supervisor would clearly be able to tell without the aid of a test. Secondly people do take illegal drugs in this country on a recreational basis but by the same token manage to hold down jobs and are productive members of the workforce. Are such people to be marginalised and forced out of the work place? Would this be constructive to the work environment or society in general?
One of the conclusions of the independently carried out inquiry sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation concluded there to be "no justification for drug testing in the workplace as a means of policing the private behaviour of employees, or of improving performance and productivity. It suggests that although drug testing does have a role to play, particularly where safety is a concern, investment in management training and systems is likely to have a more positive impact and to be less costly, divisive and invasive."
Windbag: again the health and safety angle. I can as any reasonable person would be able to, see the need for people to be sober at work especially those operating large potentially dangerous plant, but I would again refer you to the above answer. Additionally independent analysis of results gained from testing highlight no significant problem with drug and alcohol at work. So what is the point? This is just a solution looking for a problem.
One of the conclusions of the independently carried out inquiry sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation concluded there to be "no justification for drug testing in the workplace as a means of policing the private behaviour of employees, or of improving performance and productivity. It suggests that although drug testing does have a role to play, particularly where safety is a concern, investment in management training and systems is likely to have a more positive impact and to be less costly, divisive and invasive."
Windbag: again the health and safety angle. I can as any reasonable person would be able to, see the need for people to be sober at work especially those operating large potentially dangerous plant, but I would again refer you to the above answer. Additionally independent analysis of results gained from testing highlight no significant problem with drug and alcohol at work. So what is the point? This is just a solution looking for a problem.