Employees should have high concentration levels while in the workplace. Therefore, companies strive to reduce the distractions to employees. Reduction in distractions increases the productivity of the employees. In addition, it increases the safety levels of the workplace. Drug use is one of the major factors that reduces the concentration levels of the employees. Reduced concentration may expose employees to several safety hazards. In addition, reduced concentration may expose other employees or end users of a product to various safety hazards. Possession of illegal drugs may also lead to the conviction of employees (Tunnell, 2004).
Therefore, it is vital for companies to ensure that employees do not use drugs. However, random drug testing may expose the company to certain problems. It may betray the trust that employees have on the company. Testing assumes that employees are guilty of drug use. This may reduce the commitment and productivity of the employees. However, random drug tests may prevent the occurrence of problems that may have huge financial implications on the company (Verstraete, 2011). Castulon Corporation faces some of the above problems. Therefore, the company must take extreme care when implementing the drug testing program.
Drug Testing Policy
Castulon should implement a drug testing program. Drug use exposes the company to several safety hazards. It is a fact that the company’s current strategy does not address the problem effectively. Employees should be the foundation of the drug testing policy. Therefore, the company should create awareness among employees on the company’s drug testing policy. The program should provide education on drug abuse. In addition, the program should have mechanisms that would enable employees to obtain confidential help for drug-related problems (Ghodse, 2005). The program should ensure that the company obtains certification from employees on their understanding of the policy.
Managers and supervisors are critical to the success of the policy. Therefore, the company should train them on how to recognize symptoms of drug abuse. In addition, the company should train them on how to handle drug-related problems in a confidential manner. The company should assist people with drug-related problems (Myers, 2003).
The company should have the right to perform random drug tests. Employees who refuse to undergo the tests should face immediate termination. If employees test positive for drug use, the company should suspend them temporarily prior to the receipt of confirmation test results. The Medical Review Officer (MRO) should review the results of the drug tests. The company should provide a probation period of 2 years to employees who wish to continue working in the company. Passing drug tests during the probation period should be one of the conditions for continued employment of the employee. Employees who test positive during the probation period should face immediate termination.
Challenges
Random drug testing in the workplace violates the employees’ right to privacy. Therefore, Castulon may face resistance from certain employees. Drug testing treats all employees as guilty of drug abuse. This may reduce employee motivation (Robinson, 2001). Therefore, it is vital for the company to ensure that it creates awareness on the importance of random drug tests.
Positive drug tests may lead to the termination of employees of the company. This may expose the company to lawsuits from employees who feel that the company treated them unfairly. Therefore, the company should ensure that a third party undertakes random drug tests. In addition, the company should use certified laboratories to undertake the tests (Dasgupta, 2010). This would prevent legal liability of the company since third parties do have vested interests.
There are several federal or state requirements on random drug tests and disciplinary policies. These requirements have huge implications on Castulon’s drug testing policy. Therefore, it is vital for the company to ensure that its drug testing and disciplinary policies adhere to these requirements. However, it is a fact that certain federal or state requirements may restrict the effectiveness of the company’s drug testing program.
Test for Alcohol Use
Alcohol abuse is one of the major factors that causes accidents in the workplace. In addition, alcohol abuse reduces the productivity of employees. Therefore, drug tests would not be enough to reduce safety hazards in Castulon. The company should also conduct random tests for alcohol use. Random alcohol tests would reduce the number of people who claim compensation due to alcohol-related accidents in the workplace. Alcohol abuse leads to the development of various ailments. Random alcohol tests would deter employees from abusing alcohol. This would reduce the healthcare costs that the company incurs in treating employees who suffer from alcohol-related ailments (Allhoff & Vaidya, 2008).
Conclusion
Alcohol and drug abuse is one of the major causes of accidents in the workplace. Random alcohol and drug tests would discourage employees of organization from abusing alcohol or drugs. This would reduce the safety hazards in the workplace. However, companies should ensure that their drug and alcohol testing policies adhere to the existing federal or state policies. Alcohol and drug tests increase the operational costs of an organization. However, they reduce accidents and claims due to accidents in the workplace.
References
Allhoff, F. & Vaidya, A.J. (2008). Business in ethical focus: An anthology. Buffalo, NY: Broadview Press.
Dasgupta, A. (2010). Beating drug tests and defending positive results: A toxicologist’s perspective. London: Springer.
Ghodse, H. (2005). Addiction at work: Tackling drug use and misuse in the workplace. Hants: Gower Publishing Limited.
Myers, D.W. (2003). 2004 U.S. master human resource guide. Chicago, IL: CCH Incorporated.
Robinson, M. (2001). 21 ways to create healthy, happy and motivated employees!: A collection of proven strategies that enhance employee productivity. Boca Raton, FL: Universal-Publishers.
Tunnell, K.D. (2004). Pissing on demand: Workplace drug testing and the rise of the detox industry. New York: NYU Press.
Verstraete, A. (2011). Workplace drug testing. London: Pharmaceutical Press.