Great Britain: TUC calls on government to regulate drug testing in the workplace

More tests. In the new guide for union representatives in charge of safety, the TUC reminds that anyone working under the influence of drugs – prescribed or illegal – which have an impact on performance is a real danger to themselves, their colleagues and the public. Yet, employers increasingly often appeal to drug testing for their employees, pushed by marketing campaigns from the businesses selling those services, that consider that random tests on employees is the answer to absences caused by sickness. These tests are done during the recruitment process, after an incident or randomly, via urine blood, hair, sweat or saliva samples. However, the TUC says that these tests can’t prove that a staff member is under the influence of drugs, but simply show the presence of some chemicals in the body.
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om tests on employees is the answer to absences caused by sickness. These tests are done during the recruitment process, after an incident or randomly, via urine blood, hair, sweat or saliva samples. However, the TUC says that these tests can’t prove that a staff member is under the influence of drugs, but simply show the presence of some chemicals in the body.


Legal hole. British law is unclear on the lawful character of tests performed on people performing jobs which aren’t subject to a certai

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