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Drug testing is absolutely a good idea for jobs where worker impairment presents an imminent physical danger to lives and property (e.g. trucking, medical profe

by csense 10y ago

Drug testing is absolutely a good idea for jobs where worker impairment presents an imminent physical danger to lives and property (e.g. trucking, medical professions, powerline repair crews). Likewise, limited use of criminal background checks may be a good idea for certain jobs (a bank robber shouldn't be allowed to work in a bank). But the idea that these should be general conditions of employment across all industries is a problematic one. It creates an underclass of unemployable people, forcing them to become a drain on society when they could be productively employed (or encouraging them to become productively employed in gray/black market activities).

frogpelt 10y ago
Or maybe drugs are doing that anyway. And the companies are trying to screen for the people who will be gone after the first few paychecks. I've known a few Xanax addicts and meth heads. They're not exactly what I would call employable.
cortesoft 10y ago
Is it really a good idea, though? A guy can smoke a joint on the weekend and do a dangerous job on Tuesday. At the same time, passing a drug test doesn't mean you won't be intoxicated on the job. They don't test everyday, and lots of drugs (alcohol, cocaine, etc) get out of your system very quickly. I understand the desire (you don't want someone on drugs at work), but drug testing doesn't do a very good job of getting you that.
- pcr0 10y ago
  It's certainly fine for most drugs. The situation with weed is certainly the troubling one. You can test positive for it for almost a month after moderate use. Add to that fact its increasing legality and acceptance in the US and you've got a widespread employment problem.
thedevil 10y ago
I up voted your comment because we think the same way on this but your comment was better and less snarky than mine (although also less entertaining).
astral303 10y ago
Bayer invented and patented heroin. Opiate addiction is a crisis in the state of Massachusetts. Anyone who is struggling with this right now is in an employment underclass like you said. It's a vicious cycle. Do you see Bayer or Purdue actively campaigning for removing drug testing? I don't. These are all the people that will have a very difficult time re-entering the work force due to high prevalence of drug testing.
raddad 10y ago
>a good idea for jobs where worker impairment presents an imminent physical danger When I was in school some of the bus drivers were drunk, stoned or tripping on LSD. It really was a lot like the bus driver in The Simpsons. Back then truckers would do the same and stay awake driving for days; some of the stories I've heard make me wonder how they ever survived long enough to get clean. >criminal background checks I know of a woman who became a school bus aide after a background check and she was in prison for attempted murder and human trafficking so I don't put a lot of confidence in these preventing employment, only will cut down on applications.

by csense 10y ago

frogpelt 10y ago

Or maybe drugs are doing that anyway. And the companies are trying to screen for the people who will be gone after the first few paychecks. I've known a few Xanax addicts and meth heads. They're not exactly what I would call employable.

cortesoft 10y ago

Is it really a good idea, though? A guy can smoke a joint on the weekend and do a dangerous job on Tuesday. At the same time, passing a drug test doesn't mean you won't be intoxicated on the job. They don't test everyday, and lots of drugs (alcohol, cocaine, etc) get out of your system very quickly. I understand the desire (you don't want someone on drugs at work), but drug testing doesn't do a very good job of getting you that.

pcr0 10y ago
It's certainly fine for most drugs. The situation with weed is certainly the troubling one. You can test positive for it for almost a month after moderate use. Add to that fact its increasing legality and acceptance in the US and you've got a widespread employment problem.

thedevil 10y ago

I up voted your comment because we think the same way on this but your comment was better and less snarky than mine (although also less entertaining).

astral303 10y ago

Bayer invented and patented heroin. Opiate addiction is a crisis in the state of Massachusetts. Anyone who is struggling with this right now is in an employment underclass like you said. It's a vicious cycle. Do you see Bayer or Purdue actively campaigning for removing drug testing? I don't. These are all the people that will have a very difficult time re-entering the work force due to high prevalence of drug testing.

raddad 10y ago

>a good idea for jobs where worker impairment presents an imminent physical danger When I was in school some of the bus drivers were drunk, stoned or tripping on LSD. It really was a lot like the bus driver in The Simpsons. Back then truckers would do the same and stay awake driving for days; some of the stories I've heard make me wonder how they ever survived long enough to get clean. >criminal background checks I know of a woman who became a school bus aide after a background check and she was in prison for attempted murder and human trafficking so I don't put a lot of confidence in these preventing employment, only will cut down on applications.