Can a company send staff for drug tests?

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

If there are industrial relations issues in a job and a company puts up a notice that it is sending staff for drug tests would this be lawful or morally correct?

Industrial relations issues? As in there's already blood in the water and the company is looking for a beating stick?

Then I would imagine they will have done their homework and have gotten advice on whether or not there's something in the contracts they can use to justify this.

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

Not looking for watertight legal advice here I am looking for opinions on the morality and fairness of this.

I don't know you're going to get far with morality and fairness in the courts. That's not really their business. It's legal and illegal they deal in and they can either go hand in hand with moral and fair or be completely opposed to it and pretty much anything in between.

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

Put my question another way for a crappy job would you sacrifice your privacy and dignity or would you seek employment in a less toxic situation?

Depends on whether or not I was likely to get another job quickly I guess and how much I didn't like this job, whether or not I had anything to fear from the drugstest.

Personally I'd have to say it seems you're already looking for an excuse to leave (perhaps the industrial relations 'issues' (that's a great vague word isn't it))

And you know what....you don't need an excuse to leave...

But, seeing as you're asking, if it was me I think I'd have a good think about whether or not drug use would actually be an issue in the job, whether or not someone else's drug use would be likely to impact me personally in an adverse way. I'd also have a think about whether or not the people likely to be affected by this are valued colleagues, ie do they make my working life better or worse.

And then base it on that.....of course still all on the assumption I didn't personally have anything to worry about from a drug test.

I can think of several companies I've worked where blanket drug testing was actively avoided as it would have meant closing up shop while they sort out replacing at least a third of the staff, many of those high performers or specialized functions.

Oh, and finally, I'm not sure how you see it as sacrificing anything. Privacy perhaps, but that should be outweighed by possible safety concerns, dignity.....how? Cause you might have to pee in a cup? If that would make you loose your dignity it's probably already pretty frail no?

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

My counter to that having never used drugs or behaved in such a way that could lead to any reasonable suspicion why should I just accept that kind of treatment?

Have never been arrested in my life never been searched and have never put myself into a situation that would raise and possible doubt.

Have always worked for how many years I am not saying but I have never seen this arise in any work situation in my entire life.

Okay so is this a just you situation? Some of the staff? All of the staff?

If it's just you there might be some suspicion but if you say you're clean then I don't see why you couldn't just go in and out with your head held high?

If it's an actual concern in the workplace then again I don't see why you'd need to be offended by it?

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

Yes.

Okay so then it's just a safety concern?

Could be an insurance requirement or something?

Again I really don't see a reason why this would be 'sacrificing your dignity or privacy'.

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

This is an anonymous forum I could say I am a Devil worshiper who enjoys a bit of bestiality on the side for a laugh and it would not matter.:D

Not sure that would show up on a drug test anyways :pac:

Look at it this way, they don't think you're guilty, they just want to verify your innocence?

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

I do not want to identify the company but yes it is all staff and this situation has only arisen since the majority of staff have opted for formal representation.

ah.....see.....

In that scenario I would be shocked if the company hadn't already taken legal advice and have been reassured they can indeed do this.

Sounds like it's time to dust off the aul CV to be honest.

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

When a company gets to that level of petty you can understand my reluctance to submit I mean what comes next?

nothing good really.

Unless you're one of the ones they want to keep.