Paper Example on Drug Testing and Employee Privacy

Introduction

The article I read investigates whether drug testing carried out on employees is worth it since it has the potential to place employees privacy at jeopardy especially when sensitive employee information is leaked. The article points out that drug use cost companies millions of dollars each year and that there is a compelling reason as to why employees test for drugs (Cranford, 1998). The article tries to show instances when drug testing can result in the infringement of personal privacy. The author of the article then set special boundaries that if crossed by employers, would amount to the intrusion of personal privacy. Finally, the article suggests ways in which drug testing should be done to avoid infringing on employee privacy.

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Discussion

The main point argued out by the author is that employee privacy should be maintained above company interests and that employers should provide compelling reasons to justify the violation of employee privacy when testing for drug and substance use (Cranford,1998). The author's arguments put forward to support the main point while also weighing in on the situation that employers can justify drug testing among employees. The author uses three main points in the article to support the main point. The first argument put forward is that employers can have binding contracts with their employers, but these contracts should always uphold human dignity and privacy. The second one is that employee privacy is not violated when everything is done as per the contractual agreement. The author then points out that employee privacy is violated when their personal information is collected and used for other reasons other than the intended ones.

This main topic in this article has a direct bearing on my life. Everybody is entitled to the right to personal privacy. However, when companies abuse their position of power over employees to infringe on their privacy, it becomes an issue of ethical concern and amounts to employee mistreatment. Working under any employee, I would like my rights to privacy and personal dignity to be respected. However, if I were an employer and some of my employee's abuse drugs, I would be concerned since their behavior will cost my company. Therefore, as an individual, I think that the author is right to point out that employers should set certain binding agreements that would allow them to monitor their employers for drug use without intruding on their privacy. The topic applies to almost all organization I have watched. One particular organization where this topic is very critical is in an organization such as the Red Cross. The employees of the red-cross should never use drugs as this might cost human life. Leadership is critical to any corporate culture. Leadership styles affect ethical decision making. Good leadership ensures that employee privacy is upheld while also making sure the employers' interests are safeguarded (Shahandeh & Caborn, 2003). There are no inherently unethical practices in drug testing so long as they are under the company policy that employees consider before employment.

Conclusion

Business leaders have the right to test for drug use but must always make sure that they do not cross certain boundaries that might lead to violation of employee privacy. Violation of personal privacy by business leaders should be prosecuted. Good leadership styles can make sure that employers make ethically sound decisions to ensure that employees right to lead a private and dignified life is always guaranteed.

Reference

Cranford, M. (1998). Drug testing and the right to privacy: Arguing the ethics of workplace drug testing. Journal of Business Ethics, 17(16), 1805-1815.

Shahandeh, B., & Caborn, J. (2003). Ethical issues in workplace drug testing in Europe. Geneva: International Labour Office.