The universal drug testing of employees
Article Abstract:
Universal drug testing of employees is illegitimate in most cases due to ethical and practical reasons. Observations of Joseph DesJardins and Ronald Duska also substantiate this view. They criticize the practice as an infringement on the employees' right to privacy. However, their argument suffers because they limit the scope of drug testing to job-relevance. The right to privacy of employees can be considered only when their colleagues' safety is assured. Drug testing is also justifiable in cases where drug use affects employees' performance and the company's wellbeing.
Publication Name: Business & Professional Ethics Journal
Subject: Philosophy and religion
ISSN: 0277-2027
Year: 1995
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Drug testing and privacy: why contract arguments do not work
Article Abstract:
Drug testing programs in US companies violate the individuals right to privacy as the genitals of the subjects are exposed before the test supervisors. Although the performance contract argument by DesJardins and Duska rightly addresses the moral entitlements of the parties to the contract, it fails to consider the moral obligations outside the contract. The time-based contract structure provided by Caste is also plagued by shortcomings. Americans and Canadians can hope that the ensuing conflict brings about an ethically and socially viable equilibrium.
Publication Name: Business & Professional Ethics Journal
Subject: Philosophy and religion
ISSN: 0277-2027
Year: 1995
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Judgement, accountability, and 'information': a response to Machamer and Boylan
Article Abstract:
The news media does not have an overriding privilege to extract information to the detriment of an individual's privacy. Peter Machamer and Barbara Boylan claim that a social organization can have the right to access private information to perform their function. However, the news media has several, complex and interrelated goals, and it is therefore difficult to determine the particular purpose which necessitates access to information.
Publication Name: Business & Professional Ethics Journal
Subject: Philosophy and religion
ISSN: 0277-2027
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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