Expert Witness: Drug testing in employment

Policies, practice and the law

Summary:

Employers considering introducing a policy on drug testing at work should think very clearly about what they are aiming to achieve and be mindful of the law and established codes of practice. Diana Kloss explains.

DRUG testing is a topic commonly discussed together with testing for alcohol, but in my view it needs separate consideration, because it raises different problems. Most obviously, alcohol is a legal substance widely available, whereas the possession of certain mood-altering drugs is a criminal offence. In addition, traces of some drugs like cannabis remain in the body for a considerable.…

Diana Kloss is a barrister, part-time chairman of employment tribunals, Acas arbitrator and author.

Author: Kloss D

Tags case law drugs and alcohol testing law

Occupational Health at Work August/September 2007 (vol. 04/2) pp34-35

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