Question

Why are drug tests a controversial component of the personnel selection process? What are some of the ways in which organizations can avoid problems associated with drug testing?

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Answer 1

Drug tests: Drug tests are helpful for employers to identify individuals who cannot perform efficiently and effectively due to illicit drug use. The employers can identify such employees and eliminate them to improve overall organizational performance.

Drug tests are controversial due to the following reasons.

1. It invades an individual’s privacy.

2. The federal government of the US has mentioned that it does not require companies to go for the drug tests, but if the companies want, they have the right to conduct a drug test.

3. All state governments do not have the same rules for drug tests. Some governments are strict while some are liberal.

4. Due to medically prescribed drug use, the results of drug tests are affected. Such situations complicate employee-employer relations.

Ways organizations can avoid problems associated with drug testing:

1. The organizations can disclose in the selection forms whether drug testing is a part of the selection process or not to avoid legal consequences.

2. The organizations can specify the jobs which require drug testing as a part of the selection process so potential employees can understand that drug test is not for all jobs, but selected jobs where drug tests are required.