Drug Testing in the Federal Workplace Essay -- Substances Employment Pa

In September 1986, President Reagan issued Executive Order 12564. This was done in an effort to make the Federal Government a drug free work place. He believed that persons who used illegal drugs were not suitable for Federal employment. The order required the heads of governmental agencies to establish both a voluntary and mandatory testing program to determine the use of illegal drugs by employees in sensitive positions. Sensitive position employees were defined to include employees granted access to classified information and individuals serving under presidential appointment. It further included Law enforcement officers and other positions that the agency head determined involve law enforcement, national security, the protection of life and property, public health or safety, or other functions requiring a high degree of trust and confidence. Executive Order 12564 allowed the testing of federal employees when there is reasonable suspicion of an employee using drugs. Testing can be done if there is an examination authorized by the agency regarding an accident or unsafe practice. It can also be used as part of a follow-up to counseling or rehabilitation for illegal drug use through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). A follow-up two months later to the order spelled out the requirements for random drug testing of employees in sensitive positions. Agency heads were to take into consideration the nature of the agency mission; it's employee's duties, and the efficient use of agency resources. Also taken into consideration was the danger that could result from the failure of an employee to fulfill his responsibilities sufficiently. Right of Privacy Most Americans probably feel they have a right to privacy concerni... ... Bibliography Cozetto, Don A., Theodore B. Pedeliski and Terrence J. Tipple. Public Personnel Administration. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1996. Federal Employees Almanac, 45th Edition: Federal Employees News Digest, 1998. Inaba, Darryle S. and William E. Cohen. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders. Ashland, Oregon: Cinemed, 1989. International Labor Office. Conditions of Work Digest, Volume 12, Number 2,Workers Privacy Part III: Testing in the WorkPlace. Geneva: International Labor Office, 1993. Potter, Beverly and Sebastian Orfali. Drug Testing at Work: A Guide for Employees. Berkeley: Ronin Publishing, 1990. Savage, David, "Federal Workers Lose Bid to Halt Drug Testing," Los Angeles Times, 3, March 1998, Sec. 1A, p.10. Thompson, Robert Jr., Substance Abuse and Employee Rehabilitation. New York: Bureau of National Affairs, Library of Congress, 1990.